University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) vs Elon University
When it comes to higher education, University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) and Elon University stand out as two exceptional institutions with unique offerings. UNCW, a public research university, boasts an acceptance rate of 78%, while Elon, a private liberal arts university, has a more selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of 67%. Both universities offer a diverse range of undergraduate programs, with UNCW excelling in fields like marine biology and nursing, and Elon gaining recognition for its strengths in business, communications, and education. UNCW's student body is more diverse, with a higher percentage of minority students compared to Elon. In terms of graduation rates, UNCW's four-year graduation rate stands at 48%, while Elon's is slightly higher at 79%. To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table that delves into these aspects and more, providing valuable insights into the distinct characteristics of each university.
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![]() Elon University |
![]() University of North Carolina Wilmington |
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Overview |
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Location | Elon, North Carolina | Wilmington, North Carolina |
Campus setting | Suburb: Midsize | City: Midsize |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Public |
Calendar system | 4-1-4 | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 88.0% | 83.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 77.7% | 68.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$60
Graduate:
$60
|
Undergraduate:
$80
Graduate:
$75
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SAT range | N/A | 1210 - 1330 |
ACT range | N/A | 24 - 28 |
Students submitting SAT score | 8.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 19.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 17,834 | 15,792 |
Total number of admissions given out | 13,859 | 10,736 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,591 | 2,435 |
Yield rate | 11.5% | 22.7% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $55,647 |
In state:
$25,855
Out of state:
$39,920
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Average net price | $40,366 | $18,792 |
Tuition | $38,218 |
In state:
$4,443
Out of state:
$18,508
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,593
Meal plan:
$6,829
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Room/dormitory:
$6,926
Meal plan:
$4,420
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
67.0%
Average amount $13,677 |
53.0%
Average amount $6,253 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
30.0%
Average amount $5,259 |
47.0%
Average amount $5,258 |
Students taking out private loans |
7.0%
Average amount $25,192 |
9.0%
Average amount $15,490 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
6,302
Men 40.2% Women 59.8% |
14,488
Men 35.0% Women 65.0% |
Graduate students |
825
Men 36.5% Women 63.5% |
3,542
Men 28.2% Women 71.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | 80.6% | 17.4% |
International students | 2.0% | 2.0% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Midsize | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 4,192 | 5,562 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | North Carolina New Jersey New York Pennsylvania Virginia | North Carolina Maryland Pennsylvania Virginia New Jersey |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 12:1 | 16:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 83.3% | 71.8% |
Dropout rate | 16.7% | 6.5% |
Transferred out | N/A | 20.7% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (First Professional Degrees)
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemistry (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business/Managerial Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
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