University of North Carolina Wilmington campus

UNCW Admission Requirements

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4 Year
Wilmington, NC
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#4 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

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UNCW Admission Overview

UNCW admission requirements are moderately competitive. Last year UNCW admitted 64.2% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 1230-1340 / ACT 24-29. UNCW is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UNCW is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UNCW Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

64.2%

Admission Standards

Difficult

Applicant Competition

Low

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The UNCW acceptance rate is 64.2%. Last year, 13,101 of 20,393 applicants were admitted. That is the 20th lowest acceptance rate 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, admitting a large majority of applicants. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile. Getting an offer is relatively likely compared with more selective schools, but last year's class still posted a strong academic profile.

Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 21% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UNCW GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Estimated High School GPA

3.56*

Typical High School Grades

A-

Estimated GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.56*

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

UNCW has not published an average GPA for enrolled freshmen. CollegeSimply estimates about a 3.56 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale, based on this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges. That is an estimate, not a school-reported average. UNCW is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.

*3.56 is a CollegeSimply estimate, not a school-reported average. It is modeled from this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges.

UNCW SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1230-1340

Freshmen who sent SAT

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 620
Math 610
Composite 1230

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 680
Math 660
Composite 1340

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at UNCW typically score around a 1290 SAT (middle 50% 1230–1340) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 87th percentile nationally. UNCW ranks #6 in the state of North Carolina and #220 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1230 to 1340

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

UNCW is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1290 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at University of North Carolina Wilmington
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1340+	Above 75th	>77%
1290 to 1340	Avg +	65%-77%
1230 to 1290	Avg -	48%-65%
Below 1230	Below mid-50	<48%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UNCW ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

24-29

Freshmen reporting ACT

12%

25th Percentile Scores

English 23
Math 23
Composite 24

75th Percentile Scores

English 30
Math 27
Composite 29

Average ACT

Incoming testers at UNCW typically have around a 26 ACT (mid-50 24–29) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 82nd percentile of ACT takers nationwide. UNCW places #9 among colleges in North Carolina for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 24 to 29

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to UNCW without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 26.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at University of North Carolina Wilmington
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
29+	Above 75th	>79%
26 to 29	Avg +	64%-79%
24 to 26	Avg -	52%-64%
Below 24	Below mid-50	<52%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

92% of University of North Carolina Wilmington freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 43% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted University of North Carolina Wilmington students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	15%
Top 25% of class	43%
Top 50% of class	92%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the UNCW chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

University of North Carolina Wilmington admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	13,602	6,787	20,393
Accepted	9,000	4,100	13,101
Acceptance Rate	66%	60%	64%
Enrolled	1,803	951	2,754
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	20%	23%	21%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to University of North Carolina Wilmington and what student information is used for admission decisions?

University of North Carolina Wilmington application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
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	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies	Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Feb 1, 2027

Days left to Apply

154

Applicants have 154 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Feb 1, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to University of North Carolina Wilmington is $80.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at University of North Carolina Wilmington
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

UNCW is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 64.2% of applicants. Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1230-1340); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025