When choosing a university, students often compare various factors such as cost, admissions, academic quality, and more. In this article, we will compare two popular schools in North Carolina: UNC (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) and UNCW (University of North Carolina Wilmington). We will provide an in-depth analysis of each school’s overview, costs & tuition, admissions, degrees offered, academics, diversity, campus life, alumni, rankings, and outcomes. With this information, prospective students can make an informed decision about which school is the best fit for them.
UNC Overview
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Established in 1789, UNC is one of the oldest public universities in the United States and is known for its strong emphasis on research, academics, and athletics. With over 19,000 undergraduates and 11,000 graduate students, UNC is the flagship institution of the 17-campus University of North Carolina system.
UNC Costs & Tuition
Tuition for in-state students at UNC is approximately $9,000 per year, while out-of-state students can expect to pay around $36,000 per year. Additional costs such as housing, meal plans, and other expenses can increase the total cost of attendance. However, UNC offers various financial aid options, including grants, scholarships, and loans, to help students cover these costs.
UNC Admissions
Admissions at UNC are considered highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of around 23%. Prospective students must submit their high school transcript, SAT or ACT scores, and letters of recommendation. Additionally, applicants must submit a personal essay and participate in an interview.
UNC Degrees Offered
UNC offers over 70 undergraduate majors, 100 minors, and more than 160 graduate programs across 14 schools and colleges. Some of the most popular majors at UNC include business, biology, psychology, and journalism.
UNC Academics
UNC is renowned for its strong academic programs, particularly in fields such as business, public health, and journalism. The university is consistently ranked among the top public universities in the United States. With a student-faculty ratio of 13:1, students at UNC can expect personalized attention from their professors.
UNC Diversity
UNC is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion on campus. Approximately 43% of the student population identifies as non-white, and the university offers numerous resources and programs to support students from diverse backgrounds.
UNC Students
UNC students are known for their Tar Heel pride, academic excellence, and involvement in campus activities. With over 800 student organizations, there are ample opportunities for students to get involved and make lasting connections.
UNC Campus
UNC’s campus is located in the picturesque town of Chapel Hill, offering students a vibrant college town atmosphere with numerous restaurants, shops, and cultural attractions. The campus itself is known for its historic buildings, beautiful landscaping, and state-of-the-art facilities.
UNC Alumni
UNC has a strong alumni network of over 330,000 individuals worldwide. Notable alumni include former President James K. Polk, basketball legend Michael Jordan, and acclaimed author Thomas Wolfe.
UNC Rankings
UNC consistently ranks among the top public universities in the United States. U.S. News & World Report ranked UNC as the 5th best public university in the nation for 2021.
UNC Outcomes
Graduates from UNC have a high employment rate, with 93% of graduates finding employment or continuing their education within six months of graduation. The average starting salary for UNC graduates is around $55,000.
UNCW Overview
The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) is a public research university located in Wilmington, North Carolina. With a student population of over 16,000, UNCW is known for its strong academic programs, particularly in marine biology and film studies. The university is a member of the 17-campus University of North Carolina system.
UNCW Costs & Tuition
In-state students at UNCW can expect to pay approximately $7,000 per year in tuition, while out-of-state students pay around $21,000 per year. Additional costs for housing, meal plans, and other expenses can increase the total cost of attendance. UNCW offers various financial aid options to help students cover these costs.
UNCW Admissions
Admissions at UNCW are considered moderately competitive, with an acceptance rate of around 61%. Prospective students must submit their high school transcript, SAT or ACT scores, and letters of recommendation. Additionally, applicants must submit a personal essay and participate in an interview.
UNCW Degrees Offered
UNCW offers over 50 undergraduate majors, 30 minors, and more than 40 graduate programs across six colleges. Popular majors at UNCW include marine biology, film studies, nursing, and business.
UNCW Academics
UNCW is known for its strong academic programs, particularly in fields such as marine biology and film studies. The university is consistently ranked among the top public universities in the United States. With a student-faculty ratio of 17:1, students at UNCW can expect personalized attention from their professors.
UNCW Diversity
UNCW is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion on campus. Approximately 25% of the student population identifies as non-white, and the university offers numerous resources and programs to support students from diverse backgrounds.
UNCW Students
UNCW students are known for their Seahawk spirit, academic excellence, and involvement in campus activities. With over 250 student organizations, there are ample opportunities for students to get involved and make lasting connections.
UNCW Campus
UNCW’s campus is located in the coastal city of Wilmington, offering students a unique blend of urban and beach lifestyles. The campus is known for its modern facilities, beautiful landscaping, and state-of-the-art research centers.
UNCW Alumni
UNCW has a strong alumni network of over 80,000 individuals worldwide. Notable alumni include film director David Gordon Green and former NFL player Alge Crumpler.
UNCW Rankings
UNCW consistently ranks among the top public universities in the United States. U.S. News & World Report ranked UNCW as the 6th best public university in the South for 2021.
UNCW Outcomes
Graduates from UNCW have a high employment rate, with 92% of graduates finding employment or continuing their education within six months of graduation. The average starting salary for UNCW graduates is around $45,000.
UNC vs UNCW Cost Comparison
When comparing the costs of attending UNC and UNCW, it is important to consider factors such as tuition, housing, meal plans, and other expenses. In-state tuition at UNC is approximately $9,000 per year, while at UNCW it is around $7,000 per year. Out-of-state tuition is significantly higher at UNC, at $36,000 per year compared to $21,000 per year at UNCW. Both universities offer various financial aid options to help students cover these costs.
UNC vs UNCW Admissions Difficulty
UNC is considered to have more competitive admissions than UNCW, with an acceptance rate of around 23% compared to UNCW’s 61%. Both universities require prospective students to submit their high school transcript, SAT or ACT scores, letters of recommendation, a personal essay, and participate in an interview. However, UNC’s lower acceptance rate indicates that it is more difficult to gain admission to the university compared to UNCW.
UNC vs UNCW Academic Difficulty
Both UNC and UNCW are known for their strong academic programs and are consistently ranked among the top public universities in the United States. UNC has a more challenging academic environment due to its highly competitive admissions and rigorous coursework. With a lower student-faculty ratio (13:1) compared to UNCW (17:1), UNC students receive more personalized attention from their professors, which can contribute to a more demanding academic experience.
UNC vs UNCW Outcome Comparison
Graduates from both UNC and UNCW have high employment rates, with 93% of UNC graduates and 92% of UNCW graduates finding employment or continuing their education within six months of graduation. However, the average starting salary for UNC graduates is around $55,000, which is higher than the $45,000 average starting salary for UNCW graduates. This indicates that UNC graduates may have better overall outcomes in terms of income and career opportunities compared to UNCW graduates.
