University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) vs West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCUPA)
When it comes to choosing the right university, it's essential to compare institutions to find the best fit. The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) and West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) offer distinct experiences for prospective students. UNCW boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option, while WCU has a slightly higher graduation rate. Both universities offer a diverse range of popular majors, including business, education, and nursing. However, UNCW has a larger student body, providing a more vibrant campus life. To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table highlighting key differences between these two universities. Explore the table to discover which institution aligns best with your academic goals and personal preferences.
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![]() University of North Carolina Wilmington |
![]() West Chester University of Pennsylvania |
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Overview |
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Location | Wilmington, North Carolina | West Chester, Pennsylvania |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 83.0% | 85.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 68.0% | 89.4% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$80
Graduate:
$75
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Undergraduate:
$45
Graduate:
$50
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SAT range | 1210 - 1330 | 1070 - 1250 |
ACT range | 24 - 28 | 23 - 29 |
Students submitting SAT score | 8.0% | 27.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 19.0% | 1.0% |
Total number of applicants | 15,792 | 14,020 |
Total number of admissions given out | 10,736 | 12,528 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 2,435 | 2,628 |
Yield rate | 22.7% | 21.0% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$25,855
Out of state:
$39,920
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In state:
$28,419
Out of state:
$40,243
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Average net price | $18,792 | $14,133 |
Tuition |
In state:
$4,443
Out of state:
$18,508
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In state:
$7,716
Out of state:
$19,290
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,926
Meal plan:
$4,420
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Room/dormitory:
$5,794
Meal plan:
$3,700
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
53.0%
Average amount $6,253 |
100.0%
Average amount $4,607 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
47.0%
Average amount $5,258 |
51.0%
Average amount $5,238 |
Students taking out private loans |
9.0%
Average amount $15,490 |
11.0%
Average amount $11,835 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
14,488
Men 35.0% Women 65.0% |
14,471
Men 40.0% Women 60.0% |
Graduate students |
3,542
Men 28.2% Women 71.8% |
3,143
Men 31.7% Women 68.3% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 17.4% | 11.4% |
International students | 2.0% | 0.4% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 5,562 | 5,128 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | North Carolina Maryland Pennsylvania Virginia New Jersey | Pennsylvania New Jersey Delaware Maryland New York |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 16:1 | 20:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 71.8% | 72.8% |
Dropout rate | 6.5% | 7.6% |
Transferred out | 20.7% | 18.4% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
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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Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business/Managerial Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Bachelor's Degrees)
Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees)
Music (Master's Degrees)
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