Colleges by Location
Colleges by Fields of Study
Colleges by Tuition Range
Colleges by GPA Range
College by SAT Range
Colleges by ACT Score
Graduate Schools by Location
Graduate Schools by Fields of Study
Graduate School by Degree Type
Paying for Graduate School
Online Graduate Programs
Test Preparation
Career Planning
College Planning
Graduate School Planning
Applying to Graduate School
Engineering Careers
- More
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.
University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public university located in Wilmington, NC and set in an urban environment. This academic institution uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 64%. The freshman retention rate at University of North Carolina Wilmington is 88.2% and the six-year graduation rate is 71%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is February 1. The transfer application deadline is June 1.
Discover more about what you can expect if you get into University of North Carolina Wilmington.
Quick Facts
15,254
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
17:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
71%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
In order to improve your chances of getting admitted, you need to know as much as possible about the university's criteria for admission. Check out some relevant data about admission at University of North Carolina Wilmington.
According to the newest information reported, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 13,101 in 2025. University of North Carolina Wilmington has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores in cases when they are submitted by the applicant. 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 5% and ACT scores 12%. 5.1% of the enrolled students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 93.5% between 1,200 and 1,399 and 1.4% between 1,000 and 1,199. The percent of first-year students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 17.5, 70 between 24-29 and 15.5 in the range between 18-23.
The average ACT score for all the enrolled students in 2025 was 26 while the average GPA was 4.06. Accordingly, you'll probably need an above-average GPA in order to be granted acceptance, as well as an above-average ACT score.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by February 1. If considering applying as a transfer student, note that the application deadline is June 1.
Retention Rate
The percentage of new students at a college or university who stay on for their second year is known as the freshman retention rate. That information can tell you if the majority of freshmen liked their first year enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for University of North Carolina Wilmington was 88.2% in 2025, a testament to the outstanding educational experience provided by this institution.
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 71%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Deciding if a school is the right fit for you is not an easy task. You can get a better insight into a school's culture and life by finding out more about its student body.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at University of North Carolina Wilmington in 2025 was 18,848.
That year, the institution had 14.5% of out-of-state students. There was a total of 15,254 students working towards bachelor's degrees, including 154 international students. 1,883 students enrolled as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 5,358 male and 9,184 female full-time students in 2025. 327 full-time graduate men and 966 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
The importance of student diversity cannnot be denied, when it comes to the overall feeling of inclusion and beloning among the students of any school. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
This school had 305 Asian students and 608 Afro-American students in 2025. 1,355 undergraduate students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 506 identified with more than one race. The school also had 27 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 71 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 133 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
One of the most crucial things to take into account when applying to any college or university is the financial component. The latest information on the expenses that most students at this school incur are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at University of North Carolina Wilmington? Here is what you need to know.
For local residents, public county and municipal institutions reported that tuition costs were $4,443. For out-of-state students, tuition fees amounted to $21,318. For the students coming from abroad, tuition at this school was $21,318, as well. Full-time students in 2025 needed to pay additional fees in the amount of $2,834.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $21,318 | $2,834 | $24,152 |
| In-State | $4,443 | $2,834 | $7,277 |
Books and Supplies
The estimated price of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into consideration as another important expense. The estimated cost of books and supplies for a full-time student of this school is $860.
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 lodging and meals?
In 2025, the price of room and board at University of North Carolina Wilmington was $14,268 per academic year. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2025 added up to $9,128 for one academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was also $9,128.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 4,443 |
| Room and Board | $ 14,268 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 860 |
| Total Expense | $ 19,571 |
Financial Aid
Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all different types of financial support available to students. Check out some recent data to get the info about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid students could get at University of North Carolina Wilmington.
The most recent records show that 1,267 freshmen received some sort of financial help. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $12,168.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
There were 5,110 students who received need-based financial aid of any kind. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need came to be 5,777. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution stood at $19,704,088, and state $8,986,449. The students of University of North Carolina Wilmington received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $13,670,010, and external in the amount of $2,292,520.
$3,893
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
955 students, including freshmen, got institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this institution in 2025. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 301 full-time freshman. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $19,704,088 while the state aid is $19,414. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $2,913,158. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $2,631,918 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
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
In 2025, this ratio at University of North Carolina Wilmington was 17:1. That means that there were 17 times more students than teachers at this school. According to the most recent information, there are 1,266 faculty members at this school. Out of that number, there were 550 men and 716 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at University of North Carolina Wilmington.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at University of North Carolina Wilmington: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Find out some details about campus life at University of North Carolina Wilmington.
It has a campus size of 661 acres.
Student Organizations
A student organization is run by students at a university or a college institution, whose membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.
According to recently gathered data, there are 339 open-membership organizations at University of North Carolina Wilmington. That includes sororities and fraternities. 11 percent of male and 8 of female students take part in in different organizations at University of North Carolina Wilmington. The student organization that has the biggest membership is Association of Self Care, followed by Women in Science and Engineering and Stand Up Paddleboard Club. Other popular organizations among the students at University of North Carolina Wilmington are Plastic Ocean Project and Residence Hall Association.
For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. You have a talent for media and communication? University of North Carolina Wilmington publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
University of North Carolina Wilmington offers a number of services needed for a comfortable and safe life on campus.
There are phone and alarm devices that can be accessed 24/7 for emergency situations. Dormitory entrances at the school are electronically operated. There is a 24-hour 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 University of North Carolina Wilmington.
All in all, campus life at University of North Carolina Wilmington is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
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 University of North Carolina Wilmington.
Career Counselling
At 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. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
-
University of North Carolina Wilmington is located in Wilmington, NC.
-
This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
-
According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for University of North Carolina Wilmington is 64%.
-
The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for University of North Carolina Wilmington is 88.2%.
Contact Information
University of North Carolina Wilmington
601 S. 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.
Find the best schools for you.
Need help with choosing grad school? We got you.
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.
