Your chances of getting into University of North Carolina at Wilmington
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance Rate
The acceptance rate at UNCW is 68.8%. Its admission rate is the 24th lowest in North Carolina.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into UNCW and can you get accepted?
UNCW is a moderately competitive school to get into. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet the criteria. Last year, 11,605 out of the 16,860 who applied were admitted.
University of North Carolina at Wilmington typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.56. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 20% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.
Can you get into UNCW?
69% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.
Admission Requirements in Brief
To have the best chance of getting into to University of North Carolina at Wilmington you should:
- Have a high school GPA of 3.56 or better
- Earn B+ grades in high school
- Score 1300 on the SAT
- Score 26 on the ACT
- Graduate in the top half of your high school class
UNCW GPA
GPA Requirements & Average GPA
What GPA do you need to get into University of North Carolina at Wilmington?
GPA Requirements
The GPA requirements for getting into UNCW are to have around a 3.56 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.
If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as UNCW accepts 69% of students who apply.
Average GPA
The average unweighted GPA at UNCW is 3.56 on the 4.0 scale. 59% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school. The school ranks #16 in North Carolina for highest average GPA.
Importance of GPA
Since UNCW is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.
*This school has not published high school GPA data for its incoming freshman class. In these cases, CollegeSimply uses an algorithm to predict GPA based on this school's test scores and a large sample of college GPA data. 3.56 is a prediction of the school's average incoming freshman GPA.
UNCW SAT Scores
Testing Requirements
Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to University of North Carolina at Wilmington. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 7% of students submitted SAT scores and 15% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..
SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score
| SAT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 620 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 600 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 1220 |
| SAT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 75th Percentile | 690 |
| Math 75th Percentile | 680 |
| Composite 75th Percentile | 1370 |
| Average SAT Score | 1300
|
SAT Scores you need to get in
What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to University of North Carolina at Wilmington?
Average Score & Range
The average SAT score at UNCW is 1300 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1220-1370. Students who get into University of North Carolina at Wilmington score in the top 22 percent of all SAT test takers.. UNCW ranks #5 in the state of North Carolina and #192 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.
Score for Acceptance
You should target scoring 1300 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. UNCW regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1220 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1220, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1140, but scores this low are outside the normal range.
Score Submission Requirements
University of North Carolina at Wilmington is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".
View other colleges which accept students in the 1300 SAT score range.
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting classChance of Acceptance by SAT Score
The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1295, you have around a 69% chance of being admitted. A 1370 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 81% chance of getting in.
UNCW ACT Scores
ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score
| ACT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 23 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 23 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 24 |
| ACT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 75th Percentile | 29 |
| Math 75th Percentile | 27 |
| Composite 75th Percentile | 29 |
| Average ACT Score | 26
|
ACT Scores needed to get accepted
What are the ACT requirements for students to get into UNCW?
Score Range
The average ACT score for admitted students to UNCW is 26, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 24 and 29. The school ranks #8 in North Carolina for highest average ACT composite score.
Score for Acceptance
For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 26. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 24 and score in the score in the top 27 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 22.
15 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
Score Submission Requirements
You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as University of North Carolina at Wilmington is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".
Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting classChance of Acceptance by ACT Score
Here are your predicted chances of getting into UNCW for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 26 score has around 69% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 83% with a 29 ACT score.
High School Class Rank
92% of University of North Carolina at Wilmington freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 43% are in the top quarter.
| High School Class Rank | Freshmen Within Range |
|---|---|
| Top 10% of class | 15% |
| Top 25% of class | 43% |
| Top 50% of class | 92% |
Applying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.
| Women | Men | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied | 10,812 | 6,048 | 16,860 |
| Accepted | 7,827 | 3,778 | 11,605 |
| Acceptance Rate | 72% | 62% | 69% |
| Enrolled | 1,509 | 861 | 2,370 |
| Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) | 19% | 23% | 20% |
Fall 2025 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Days left to Apply
Applicants have 39 days left until the Fall 2025 term applications are due on Feb 1, 2025.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to University of North Carolina at Wilmington is $80.
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to University of North Carolina at Wilmington and what student information is used for admission decisions?
| Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) |
| High School GPA | Required to be considered for admission |
| High School Class Rank | Required to be considered for admission |
| Completion of College Preparatory Program | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted |
| Recommendations | Required to be considered for admission |
| Demonstration of Competencies | Not considered for admission, even if submitted |
Credits Accepted
| AP Credit | Yes |
| Dual Credit | Yes |
| Credit for Life Experiences | No |
Admission Requirements Summary
Because UNCW is moderately competitive, you have a strong chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.56 GPA, you have a very good likelihood of getting in. A 1300 on the SAT and 26 on the ACT will further lock in your application.
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to University of North Carolina at Wilmington often consider these colleges
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=199218 IPEDS survey data for University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
Last updated February 24, 2024