Overview of the University of North Carolina, Wilmington (UNCW)

University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public institution situated in southeastern North Carolina. The institution has a large selection of 55 undergraduate and graduate degree programs for students to select from. A robust student/faculty ratio backs students, and professors take a personalized approach to the teaching and learning process. Outside of the classroom, students will find plenty of opportunities to engage with the campus community via the university’s many clubs and organizations. The UNCW Seahawks play in the NCAA Division I Colonial Athletic Association.

Enrollment

• Total Enrollment: 16,747 (14,452 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 38 percent male/62 percent female
• 84 percent full-time

Cost of Attendance Information

• Tuition and Fees: $7,181 (in-state); $21,246 (out-of-state)
• Books: $1,126
• Room and Board: $10,897
• Other Expenses: $6,146
• Total Cost: $25,350 (in-state); $39,415 (out-of-state)

Financial Aid Information

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 76 percent
• Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 57 percent
  • Loans: 54 percent

• Average Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $6,407
  • Loans: $6,673

Academic Programs Offered

• Most Popular Majors: Business Administration and Management, General; Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse; Psychology, General; Biology/Biological Sciences, General; and Speech Communication and Rhetoric

Retention and Graduation

• First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 83 percent
• Transfer-Out Rate: 21 percent
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 53 percent
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 73 percent

NCAA Athletic Programs

• Men’s Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Golf, Soccer, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field
• Women’s Sports: Basketball, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, Beach Volleyball

Overview of the University of North Carolina, Wilmington (UNCW) Admissions

The University of North Carolina Wilmington, which accepts nearly two-thirds of applicants, has a moderately selective admissions procedure. Students whose SAT/ACT scores and GPA are within the institution’s requirements have a good chance of being admitted. Applicants must complete an online application, and send test scores from either the SAT or ACT and high school transcripts. Glowing recommendation letters can bolster your application, along with being involved with student organizations and attempting a challenging course load. Interested students should check out the university’s website, which has helpful tips and contact information for the admissions offices.

Admissions Data                        

Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, UNC Wilmington had an acceptance rate of 61%.  For every 100 students who submitted applications, 61 students gained admission, making UNCW’s admissions procedure moderately competitive.

SAT Requirements and Scores

Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 44% of students provided SAT scores. This admissions data reveals that most of UNC Wilmington’s students fall within the top 35% nationally on the SAT. 50% of admitted students scored between 600 and 660 on the evidence-based reading and writing part, while 25% scored under 600 and 25% scored over 660. 50% of students scored between 590 and 660 on the math part, while 25% scored under 590, and 25% scored over 660. Applicants with a cumulative SAT score of 1320 or higher will have a competitive advantage at UNC Wilmington.

ACT Requirements and Scores

Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 64% of applicants provided ACT scores. This admissions data reveals that most of UNCW’s students fall within the top 31% nationally on the ACT. The mean 50% of admitted students to UNC Wilmington received a cumulative ACT score between 23 and 27, while 25% scored over 27, and 25% scored under 23.

GPA

In 2019, the mean high school GPA of incoming University of North Carolina Wilmington freshmen was 4.22. Nearly 90% of students had a mean GPA of over 3.75.  Successful applicants to UNC Wilmington have primarily A grades.

Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission

If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for UNC Wilmington, then it should be easy for you to gain admissions to the schools below. If UNC Wilmington is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.

University of Alabama, Colorado State University, Quinnipiac University, Ohio University, University of North Texas, University of Texas at Arlington, California State University Long Beach

Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission

If you’re a competitive candidate for UNC Wilmington, then you should have an equal chance of gaining admissions at these schools.

University of California, Davis, Chapman University, Syracuse University, United States Military Academy, Penn State University Park, University of Cincinnati, Hofstra University

Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will be More of a Challenge

These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than UNC Wilmington. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, then you’ll be a competitive candidate for these schools.

University of California, Santa Barbara, University of Texas at Dallas, Stony Brook University, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, University of Connecticut, Rochester Institute of Technology, American University

Applying to UNC Wilmington

Application Deadline: February 1

Undergraduate Admissions Website:

https://www.stlawu.edu/admissions/apply

Undergraduate Application Link(s):

https://apply.commonapp.org/Login?ma=254

Graduate Admissions Website:

https://uncw.edu/gradschool/admissions/index.html

Graduate Application Link(s):

https://uncw.edu/gradschool/admissions/application/