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University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), Wilmington : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings

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About University of North Carolina Wilmington

Salt air drifts across campus, and classes spill into nearby waterways and marshes. UNC Wilmington is known for hands-on learning in the sciences, business, health, the arts, and technology, with faculty who favor mentorship and real projects. Modern labs and studios, a light filled library, plus tutoring, writing, advising, and wellness services keep students supported. And it feels practical and curious at the same time.

Student life runs on coastal energy. The rec center and fields stay busy, and weekends bring surfing, paddling, and campus concerts. The culture is friendly, collaborative, and teal, with traditions that turn game days into a big cheer. Career prep leans on internships tied to the port, healthcare, media, startups, and coastal nonprofits. Downtown's riverfront and an arts scene feel like a second classroom.

Key Institutional Details

Contact & Profile

Location
601 South College Road, Wilmington, North Carolina, 28403, USA
Website
uncw.edu
Unit ID
199218

Academic & Institutional

Control
Public institution (funded by state or local government)
Accreditation
SACSCOC
Length of Study
Programs under 2 years (e.g. certificate or diploma)
Calendar System
Semester system (two main terms per year)
Award Levels
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
Doctorate (P)
Other Award
Campus Setting
Located in a midsize city (population between 100,000 and 249,999)
Carnegie Classification
Doctoral - R2 (High Research)
Tuition & Fees
In-State
$7,317
Tuition $4,443 + Fee $2,874
Out-of-State
$22,985
Tuition $20,111 + Fee $2,874
Student Profile
Total Students 17,987
Undergraduate 14,176
Graduate/Other 3,811
Male: 6,209 Female: 11,778
Applications
Total Applicants 17,370
Admitted 12,856
Enrolled 2,701
Acceptance: 74% Yield: 21%
Staff
Total Staff 2,681
Full-time 2,294
Part-time 387
Full-time: 85.6% Part-time: 14.4%

Academic Programs & Fields of Study

University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), Wilmington offers 82 degree programs across 22 major academic fields, graduating approximately 5,239 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Health (10 programs, 1,398 graduates), Business (4 programs, 1,042 graduates), Psychology (1 programs, 326 graduates), Education (15 programs, 290 graduates) and Biological Sciences (3 programs, 278 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.

Health (10 programs, 1,398 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Registered Nursing 775
Bachelor's
51.3801
Health Administration and Management 196
Master's
51.0701
Family Practice Nursing 124
Master's
51.3805
Public Health 90
Bachelor's
51.2201
Health Professions and Related Sciences 72
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
51.9999
Nursing Practice 61
Doctorate (P)
51.3818
Respiratory Care Therapy 38
Bachelor's
51.0908
Therapeutic Recreation 29
Bachelor's
51.2309
Athletic Training 12
Master's
51.0913
Public Health Education and Promotion 1
Bachelor's
51.2207
Business (4 programs, 1,042 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Business Administration and Management 680
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
52.0201
Management Science 304
Master's
52.1301
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods 57
Master's
52.1399
Actuarial Science 1
Other Award
52.1304
Psychology (1 programs, 326 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
General Psychology 326
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
42.0101
Education (15 programs, 290 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Elementary Education 99
Bachelor's
13.1202
Teacher Education and Professional Development 50
Master's
13.1299
General Education 44
Postbac Cert.
Master's
13.0101
Educational Leadership and Administration 30
Master's
Doctorate (R)
13.0401
Instructional Technology 22
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Other Award
13.0501
Middle School Education and Teaching 17
Bachelor's
13.1203
Educational Evaluation and Research 5
Postbac Cert.
13.0601
Education of Individuals with Multiple Disabilities 5
Bachelor's
13.1007
Curriculum and Instruction 4
Master's
13.0301
Kindergarten and Preschool Education 4
Bachelor's
13.1209
Educational Administration and Supervision 3
Postbac Cert.
13.0499
Community College Administration 2
Postbac Cert.
13.0407
Special Education Teaching 2
Bachelor's
13.1001
Music Teacher Education 2
Bachelor's
13.1312
Adult and Continuing Education 1
Postbac Cert.
13.1201
Biological Sciences (3 programs, 278 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Biology and Biological Sciences 168
Bachelor's
Master's
26.0101
Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography 108
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
26.1302
Biological and Biomedical Sciences 2
Doctorate (R)
26.9999
Communication (2 programs, 250 graduates)
Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Speech Communication and Rhetoric 187
Bachelor's
09.0101
Public Relations and Advertising 63
Master's
09.0999
Kinesiology (3 programs, 231 graduates)
Exercise Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Recreation
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Exercise Science and Kinesiology 173
Bachelor's
31.0505
Parks and Recreation Management 36
Bachelor's
31.0301
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education 22
Bachelor's
31.0501
Social Sciences (6 programs, 224 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Criminology 96
Bachelor's
45.0401
Sociology 42
Bachelor's
Master's
45.1101
Political Science and Government 31
Bachelor's
45.1001
Anthropology 28
Bachelor's
45.0201
Geography 18
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
45.0701
Economics 9
Bachelor's
45.0601
Computer & IT (6 programs, 187 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Computer Science 96
Bachelor's
11.0701
Information Technology 28
Bachelor's
11.0103
Computer and Information Sciences 25
Master's
11.0101
Data Modeling and Database Administration 17
Master's
11.0802
Computer Graphics 12
Bachelor's
11.0803
Information Systems Security and Auditing 9
Bachelor's
11.1003
Public Services (3 programs, 182 graduates)
Public Administration, Social Work and Community Services
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Social Work 151
Bachelor's
Master's
44.0701
Public Administration 30
Master's
44.0401
Community Organization and Advocacy 1
Postbac Cert.
44.0201

Admission Requirements & Test Scores

Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), Wilmington.

Application Requirements

Secondary School GPA
Required
Secondary School Rank
Required
Secondary School Record
Required
Formal Demonstration of Competencies
Neither required nor recommended
English Proficiency Test (TOEFL)
Required
Personal Statement or Essay
Required
Standardized Test Scores
SAT Scores
The SAT is a standardized college admission test measuring reading, writing, and math skills. Scores range from 400-1600 (combined Evidence-Based Reading & Writing + Math sections).
Composite Score Range
1220 - 1360
25th-75th percentile
Evidence-Based Reading & Writing 620 - 690
Median: 660
Math 600 - 670
Median: 630
ACT Scores
The ACT is a standardized test for college admissions assessing English, math, reading, and science reasoning. Scores range from 1-36 (composite of all sections).
Composite Score Range
24 - 28
25th-75th percentile
English 23 - 28
Median: 25
Math 23 - 27
Median: 25

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.

Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs

Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students

Estimated Total Cost
(In-state)
$27,030
Estimated Total Cost
(Out-state)
$42,698
In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$7,317
Tuition and fees for students residing in-state
Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$22,985
Tuition and fees for non-resident students
Room & Board
$12,605
Housing and meal plan expenses
Books & Supplies
$1,130
Average yearly cost of books and study materials
Other Expenses
$5,978
Miscellaneous personal and institutional expenses
Other Expenses (with family)
$5,978
Estimated cost for students living with family
Graduate In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$7,853
Graduate tuition rates for in-state students
Graduate Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$23,029
Graduate tuition rates for non-resident students

Financial Aid & Student Support

Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students

16%
FTFT Aid Recipients
Avg. Grant
$6,516
Avg. Loan
$8,642
Avg. Federal Loan
$5,154
Additional
Students with Any Grant
1,274
Students who received any type of grant aid
Students with Any Loan
1,058
Students who received any type of loan-based aid
Students with Federal Grant
512
Students who received a federal grant
Avg. Institutional Grant
$3,476
Average amount of institutional grant awarded

Student Success Metrics

Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.

71%
Graduation Rate
Percentage of students who successfully graduate from the institution
85%
First-Year Retention Rate
Percentage of first-year students who continue for a second year
Median Earnings Over Time
$37,279 – $81,800
Salary Range (25th–75th Percentile, 10 Years)
$37,279 (25th %) $81,800 (75th %)
*Median Salary After 10 Years: $54,967
Median Salary After 6 Years
$46,972
Average annual earnings of former students six years after starting college.
Median Salary After 10 Years
$54,967
Average annual earnings of former students ten years after starting college.

Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes

Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.

3-Year Loan Repayment Rate
62.8%
Share of borrowers who repaid loans within 3 years
Repayment Rate (Graduates Only)
68.8%
Repayment rate among students who completed their program
Median Student Loan Debt
$19,500
Median federal loan debt of undergraduate completers at time of graduation.
Repayment by Income
Low 53.0%
Middle 61.3%
High 71.8%
Repayment by Dependency
Dependent 66.8%
Independent 49.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), Wilmington

How much does it cost to attend University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), Wilmington?

The annual tuition at University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), Wilmington is $7,317 for in-state students and $22,985 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $27,030 for in-state students and $42,698 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $12,605 and books and supplies $1,130.

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.

What academic programs and degree levels does University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington offer?

University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), Wilmington offers 82 academic programs across 22 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Post-Master's, Doctorate (Research), Doctorate (Professional), Other Award.

Most popular program areas include:

  • Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (10 programs)
  • Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (4 programs)
  • Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies (1 programs)
  • Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (15 programs)
  • Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research (3 programs)

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.

What is the acceptance rate for University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington?

University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), Wilmington has an 74% acceptance rate and a 21% yield rate, making it selective.

Admission statistics breakdown:

  • Total applicants: 17,370
  • Students admitted: 12,856
  • Students enrolled: 2,701

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.

What financial aid and scholarships are available at University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington?

University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), Wilmington provides financial aid to 16% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $6,516 and average loans of $8,642.

Average financial aid amounts by type:

  • Pell grants: $5,353
  • State/Local grants: $3,005
  • Institutional grants: $3,476
  • Federal loans: $5,154

The university supports 1,274 students with grants and 1,058 students with loans annually.

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.

What is the average salary for University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington graduates?

University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), Wilmington graduates earn a median salary of $46,972 after 6 years and $54,967 after 10 years.

The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $37,279 (25th percentile) to $81,800 (75th percentile).

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.

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