The University of North Carolina Wilmington
Wilmington, NC
The University of North Carolina Wilmington, commonly known as UNC Wilmington or UNCW, is a public research university located in Wilmington, North Carolina. Established in 1947, UNCW has grown to become one of the top universities in the state. With a mission to provide a high-quality education, foster creative activity, and promote engagement with the community, UNCW offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines.
UNC Wilmington is renowned for its strong programs in marine science, which take advantage of its coastal location. The university's Center for Marine Science, the MarineQuest program, and the Coastal Ocean Research and Monitoring Program provide students with unique opportunities to study and conduct research in the field. UNCW also offers programs in areas such as business, education, arts and sciences, health and human services, and the arts, catering to a diverse range of academic interests.
In addition to its academic offerings, UNCW is known for its vibrant campus life and engagement opportunities. The university has over 220 student organizations, including Greek life, recreational sports teams, and academic clubs, providing ample opportunities for students to get involved and make lasting connections. UNCW's campus is also located near vibrant downtown Wilmington, offering students easy access to restaurants, shops, and cultural attractions. With its commitment to fostering academic excellence, community engagement, and personal development, UNC Wilmington provides a well-rounded educational experience for its students.
Located in Wilmington, NC and set in an urban environment, The University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public university. Its campus spans 661 acres. This institution follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 68%. The freshman retention rate at The University of North Carolina Wilmington is 82.6% and the six-year graduation rate is 74%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is February 1. Explore this school's profile to find out the most essential things about The University of North Carolina Wilmington.
Quick Facts
14,294
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
68%
Acceptance Rate
17:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
74%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you discover as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission, your chances of getting accepted will greatly increase. How difficult is it to get admitted to The University of North Carolina Wilmington and what are the admission requirements?
According to the newest data, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 11,605 in 2023. The University of North Carolina Wilmington has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores for the candidates who choose to submit them. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
Out of the number of students who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 7% and ACT scores 14.7%. 11.4% of the freshmen submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 88% between 1,200 and 1,399 and 0.6% between 1,000 and 1,199. The percent of freshman students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 12.9, 70.4 between 24-29 and 16.7 in the range between 18-23.
The average ACT score for all the admitted students in 2023 was 26 and the average GPA was 4. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into The University of North Carolina Wilmington; the same goes for your ACT score.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by February 1.
68%
Acceptance Rate
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is the percentage of college or university first-year students who return for their sophomore year. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.
The freshman retention rate for The University of North Carolina Wilmington was 82.6% in 2023, a clear indication of the excellence and value of the educational experience at this school.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. This academic institution has the six-year graduation rate of 74%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is never easy to figure out which school is the right match for you. You can get a better insight into a school's culture and life by finding out more about its student body.
Main Student Body
In 2023, the institution had an enrollment of 17,843 students.
That year, the school had an out-of-state student body percentage of 12.8. There was a total of 14,294 students pursuing undergraduate degrees, including 161 international students. The number of transfer students at this school was 1,701.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 4,797 male and 8,419 female full-time students in 2023. There were 327 full-time graduate male and 966 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
Higer Education is committed to focusing on the diversity of its student body and improving students' sense of inclusion and belonging. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at The University of North Carolina Wilmington.
In 2023, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 262, and the number of Afro-American students was 617. 1,155 undergraduate students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 481 as multirace. The school also had 13 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 62 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 224 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before submitting an application to any college or university, the financial component should be taken into account. Here are some details you should know about the expenses at The University of North Carolina Wilmington that the majority of students face.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition cost for this university.
For the students who live in the area, the tuition cost was $4,443, as reported by public county or municipal institutions. For out-of-state students, tuition fees amounted to $19,063. If you are an international student at The University of North Carolina Wilmington, you should know that the 2023 tuition was $19,063, as well. Fees per academic year required of full-time students came to a total of $2,795 in 2023.
| Tuition | Fees | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $19,063 | $2,795 | $21,858 |
| In-State | $4,443 | $2,795 | $7,238 |
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to take into account the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. The approximate expense of books and supplies for a full-time student of this school is $1,130.
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for room and board?
In 2023, room and board cost at The University of North Carolina Wilmington amounted to $12,120 a year. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school amounted to $7,700, according to the data from 2023. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was also $7,700.
| Tuition | $ 4,443 |
| Room and Board | $ 12,120 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,130 |
| Total Expense | $ 17,693 |
Financial Aid
Getting some financial support in forms of grants, loans, scholarships or work-study programs can be crucial for completing your studies. If you are interested in finding out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at The University of North Carolina Wilmington, here are some recent data you should consider.
The most recent records show that 1,183 freshmen received some sort of financial help. Students of this school received an average of $9,562.05 in financial help.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
4,926 students obtained some form of need-based financial aid. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was estimated to be 5,740. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution totaled $17,903,711, and state $7,190,326. The students of The University of North Carolina Wilmington received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $13,358,443, and external in the amount of $1,297,876.
$3,956
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
839 students, including freshmen, were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this institution in 2023. 272 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $17,903,711 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $7,544. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $3,329,121. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $1,293,626 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
17:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
In 2023, this ratio at The University of North Carolina Wilmington was 17:1. That means that there were 17 times more students than teachers at this school. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 1,232. Out of that number, there were 531 men and 701 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at The University of North Carolina Wilmington.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Find out some details about campus life at The University of North Carolina Wilmington.
Student Organizations
Engaging with a variety of student organizations can enrich your educational experience and make it more rewarding.
The number of student organizations and groups with open membership at this school is 339. Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. The percentage of male students who are members of organizations is 11 and female students 8. The student organization that is most favored by students is Association of Self Care, followed by Women in Science and Engineering and Stand Up Paddleboard Club. Other popular student organizations at this school are Plastic Ocean Project and Residence Hall Association.
Interested in media and communication? The University of North Carolina Wilmington publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
The University of North Carolina Wilmington provides a number of services crucial for a comfortable and secure life on campus.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. The school's dormitory entrances are operated electronically. There is a round-the-clock security patrol. There is a medical clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of The University of North Carolina Wilmington.
All in all, campus life at The University of North Carolina Wilmington is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at The University of North Carolina Wilmington.
Career Counselling
At The University of North Carolina Wilmington, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a job bank and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
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The University of North Carolina Wilmington is located in Wilmington, NC.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for The University of North Carolina Wilmington is 68%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for The University of North Carolina Wilmington is 82.6%.
Contact Information
The University of North Carolina Wilmington,
601 South College Road
Wilmington, NC
28403
910 962-3000
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.