University of California-Santa Cruz vs University of North Carolina Wilmington
Santa Cruz, CA — Wilmington, NC
| Metric | University of California-Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CA | University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington, NC |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Santa Cruz, CA | Wilmington, NC |
| Type | Public | Public |
| Total Enrollment | 17,940 | 14,922 |
| Acceptance Rate | 65.8% | 64.2% |
| SAT Average | — | 1,287 |
| In-State Tuition | $16,005 | $7,277 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $50,205 | $24,152 |
| Avg Net Price | $17,890 | $20,109 |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $16,666 | $19,500 |
| 4-Year Graduation Rate | 74.8% | 70.7% |
| Retention Rate | 87.9% | 88.2% |
| Median Earnings (6 yr) | $49,716 | $46,972 |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $68,396 | $54,967 |
| Loan Repayment Rate | 552700.0% | 454900.0% |
Values highlighted in green indicate the better metric. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
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University of California-Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA
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University of North Carolina Wilmington
Wilmington, NC
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do University of California-Santa Cruz and University of North Carolina Wilmington compare?▼
University of California-Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz, CA) has an acceptance rate of 65.8%, in-state tuition of $16,005, and median 10-year earnings of $68,396. University of North Carolina Wilmington (Wilmington, NC) has an acceptance rate of 64.2%, in-state tuition of $7,277, and median 10-year earnings of $54,967.
Which school has higher graduate earnings, University of California-Santa Cruz or University of North Carolina Wilmington?▼
University of California-Santa Cruz graduates earn more at 10 years out, with a median of $68,396 vs $54,967. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Which school is more affordable, University of California-Santa Cruz or University of North Carolina Wilmington?▼
Based on average net price (after grants and scholarships), University of California-Santa Cruz is the more affordable option at $17,890 per year versus $20,109.
Which school has a better 4-year graduation rate?▼
University of California-Santa Cruz has the higher 4-year graduation rate: 74.8% vs 70.7%.
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All data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. PlainCollege is not affiliated with any government agency.
Related
Source: U.S. Department of Education — College Scorecard College Scorecard institution outcomes (earnings, completion, debt) · 2025