University of North Carolina Wilmington
- 7/10 Overall Rating
- 4 Year
- Wilmington, NC
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3.4 5 reviews
Overview
Total enrollment
18,848- Location Wilmington, North Carolina
- Website uncw.edu
- Type Public 4 Year
- Setting Midsize City
Best Colleges Rank
#389- Size Mid-size
- Status Non-profit
- Housing Yes
- Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate
Located along the southeastern coast of North Carolina, the University of North Carolina at Wilmington sits on a 661-acre campus five miles from downtown Wilmington and nearby beaches. Established in 1947 as Wilmington College before joining the UNC system in 1969, UNCW operates from a traditional campus featuring Georgian-style architecture and extensive green spaces. The university maintains selective admission standards as part of the UNC system and offers comprehensive undergraduate and graduate programs, with particular strengths in marine biology, business, nursing, and film studies, leveraging its coastal location for marine research opportunities. UNCW provides on-campus housing primarily for first-year students in traditional residence halls and suite-style buildings, while the Seahawks compete in NCAA Division I athletics as members of the Colonial Athletic Association.
Ratings
UNCW is rated within the top 40% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 7 out of 10.
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Overall Rating7 out of 10
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Academics8 out of 10
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Resources5 out of 10
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Outcomes7 out of 10
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Value4 out of 10
Rankings
Rankings for University of North Carolina Wilmington within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
Admissions
Admission Standards
- SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1230/1340
- ACT (enrolled mid-50) 24/29
Acceptance Rate
- Applications Due Feb 1, 2027
- Enrollment Rate 21%
- Application Fee $80
Applicant Competition Low
Annual Cost to Attend
North Carolina Resident Tuition
$7,277Out of State Resident Tuition
$24,152Breakdown
- Tuition $7,277
- Books and Supplies $860
- Other Fees $2,834
- Room and Board $14,268
- Budget for Other Expenses $5,599
- Total One Year Cost $30,838
- Tuition $24,152
- Books and Supplies $860
- Other Fees $2,834
- Room and Board $14,268
- Budget for Other Expenses $5,599
- Total One Year Cost $47,713
Student Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
Popular majors at University of North Carolina Wilmington are Business, Social Sciences, and Education. 22% of students major in Business, 10% in Social Sciences, and 9% in Education.
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Business 22%
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Social Sciences 10%
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Education 9%
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Psychology 8%
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Biology 8%
More Colleges to Consider
Students considering University of North Carolina Wilmington are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=199218.
GPA calculator: University of North Carolina Wilmington GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026