University of North Carolina Wilmington vs Florida Gulf Coast University

University of North Carolina Wilmington and Florida Gulf Coast University are both well-regarded institutions, but they differ in important ways. Here's how they compare across key dimensions.

Admissions: University of North Carolina Wilmington is more selective with a 74.0% acceptance rate compared to Florida Gulf Coast University's 76.8%. Average SAT scores are 1262 and 1120 respectively.

Cost: Florida Gulf Coast University offers a lower average net price at $10,319, which is $9,153 less than University of North Carolina Wilmington ($19,472). After financial aid, this can make a significant difference over 4 years.

Career Outcomes: Graduates from University of North Carolina Wilmington earn a median salary of $54,967 ten years after enrollment, which is $407 more than Florida Gulf Coast University graduates ($54,560).

Graduation: University of North Carolina Wilmington leads with a 72.5% graduation rate, and freshman retention rates are 85.0% vs 83.0%.

Campus Size: University of North Carolina Wilmington is the larger campus with 14,176 total students, while Florida Gulf Coast University has 13,809.

Bottom Line: Florida Gulf Coast University wins on affordability while University of North Carolina Wilmington leads in career earnings. Your choice depends on whether upfront cost or long-term ROI matters more.