University of Southern Mississippi (USM) vs University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW)
When it comes to choosing the right university, it's essential to compare institutions to find the best fit. The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) and the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) are two distinct universities with unique offerings. USM, located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, boasts a higher acceptance rate (86%) compared to UNCW's 69% in Wilmington, North Carolina. While both universities offer a diverse range of majors, USM excels in nursing, education, and business, while UNCW shines in marine biology, nursing, and business. With a larger student body, UNCW fosters a more diverse community, while USM's smaller size may provide a more intimate learning environment. Additionally, UNCW's higher graduation rate (68%) compared to USM's 58% indicates a stronger focus on student success. Explore the detailed comparison table below to delve into further differences and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal
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![]() University of North Carolina Wilmington |
![]() University of Southern Mississippi |
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Overview |
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Location | Wilmington, North Carolina | Hattiesburg, Mississippi |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | City: Small |
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% | 70.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 68.0% | 95.8% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$80
Graduate:
$75
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Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$60
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SAT range | 1210 - 1330 | N/A |
ACT range | 24 - 28 | 19 - 26 |
Students submitting SAT score | 8.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 19.0% | 99.0% |
Total number of applicants | 15,792 | 9,314 |
Total number of admissions given out | 10,736 | 8,922 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 2,435 | 1,587 |
Yield rate | 22.7% | 17.8% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | 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:
$25,100
Out of state:
$27,100
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Average net price | $18,792 | $13,651 |
Tuition |
In state:
$4,443
Out of state:
$18,508
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In state:
$9,094
Out of state:
$11,094
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,926
Meal plan:
$4,420
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$10,950 |
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 |
91.0%
Average amount $9,072 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
47.0%
Average amount $5,258 |
54.0%
Average amount $5,327 |
Students taking out private loans |
9.0%
Average amount $15,490 |
4.0%
Average amount $12,298 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
14,488
Men 35.0% Women 65.0% |
10,693
Men 35.3% Women 64.7% |
Graduate students |
3,542
Men 28.2% Women 71.8% |
3,453
Men 33.7% Women 66.3% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 17.4% | 25.7% |
International students | 2.0% | 2.8% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 5,562 | 3,592 |
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 | Mississippi Louisiana Alabama Florida Tennessee |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 16:1 | 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 | 71.8% | 51.8% |
Dropout rate | 6.5% | 46.0% |
Transferred out | 20.7% | N/A |
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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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Education, General (Doctoral Degrees)
Public Health (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
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