UNCW vs. WCU

University of North Carolina Wilmington and Western Carolina University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

University of North Carolina Wilmington
Western Carolina University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: UNCW (64.2% admitted vs 81.8%). Typical SAT 1290 vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: WCU. Average net price is $13,767 vs $18,976 at UNCW.
  • Graduation: UNCW 67% vs WCU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: UNCW $44,700 vs WCU $39,100 (median).
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Key differences

University of North Carolina Wilmington Western Carolina University
Acceptance rate
UNCW more selective
UNCW64.2%
WCU81.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
UNCW higher
UNCW1230-1340
WCU1080-1270
Average net price
WCU $5,209 less
UNCW$18,976
WCU$13,767
In-state tuition
WCU $2,647 less
UNCW$7,277
WCU$4,630
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $15,522 less
UNCW$24,152
WCU$8,630
Graduation rate
UNCW +17 pts
UNCW67%
WCU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
UNCW +$5,600
UNCW$44,700
WCU$39,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • UNCW 20,393
  • WCU 19,742
  • Admitted
  • UNCW 13,101
  • WCU 16,154
  • Acceptance rate
  • UNCW 64.2%
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • UNCW 21%
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • UNCW 1290
  • WCU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • UNCW 26
  • WCU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • UNCW 3.56
  • WCU 3.44
  • Typical high school grades
  • UNCW A-
  • WCU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • UNCW Difficult
  • WCU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • UNCW Low
  • WCU
  • SAT range
  • UNCW 1230-1340
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • ACT range
  • UNCW 24-29
  • WCU 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • UNCW Test optional
  • WCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • UNCW Feb 1, 2027
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • UNCW $7,277
  • WCU $4,630
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • UNCW $24,152
  • WCU $8,630
  • Room & board
  • UNCW $14,268
  • WCU $12,354
  • Average net price
  • UNCW $18,976
  • WCU $13,767
  • Average grant aid
  • UNCW $6,674
  • WCU $5,993
  • % receiving grant aid
  • UNCW 55%
  • WCU 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • UNCW 67%
  • WCU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • UNCW $44,700
  • WCU $39,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • UNCW 64%
  • WCU 58%
  • Median student loan debt
  • UNCW $20,500
  • WCU $22,010
  • Median loan payment
  • UNCW $211
  • WCU $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • UNCW 17:1
  • WCU 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • UNCW
    • Business (22%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (8%)
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Location
  • UNCW Wilmington, NC
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Setting
  • UNCW Midsize City
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • UNCW 18,848
  • WCU 11,686
  • Type
  • UNCW Public 4 Year
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • UNCW #389
  • WCU #698

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina Wilmington in Wilmington, NC with Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of North Carolina Wilmington is larger than WCU based on total student enrollment (18,848 students vs. 11,686 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of North Carolina Wilmington is located in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
  • University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 13.4% lower than at University of North Carolina Wilmington ($12,354 vs. $14,268).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 179.9% higher at UNCW than at Western Carolina University (about $15,522 more per year; $24,152 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Carolina University than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (81% vs. 55%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students is 11.4% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($6,674 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at UNCW than at WCU (26 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both UNCW and WCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: UNCW Feb 1, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at UNCW average a 3.56 high school GPA, 0.12 higher than at WCU (3.44).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at UNCW vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates have a $1,510 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($20,500 vs. $22,010).
  • Among borrowers, UNCW graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($211 vs. $227).
  • More UNCW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation (64% vs. 58%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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