The University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW) is a public academic institution located in Wilmington, North Carolina. Founded in 1947, it is part of the University of North Carolina System. The institution is classified among R2 Doctoral Universities with high research activity.
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Overview of University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW)
Dedicated to the integration of teaching, mentoring, research, and service, the University of North Carolina at Wilmington encourages student engagement, creative inquiry, critical thinking, thoughtful expression, and responsible citizenship through each of its programs. The institution also highly values diversity and globalization, as well as ethics, integrity, and innovation. Above all, it strives for excellence in everything it does.
The total student population at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington is 18,030, with 14,488 of those enrolled working toward undergraduate degrees. The institution employs 760 full-time and 350 part-time faculty members, most of whom provide instructional support. Less than 10 dedicate time to research and public service. As a result, the overall student-to-faculty ratio is 16:1, which is about average for schools in the United States. The university also maintains 542 graduate assistant positions, 471 of which are instructional and 71 which are research oriented.
General Information
School Type | Public |
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Campus Setting | City: Midsize |
Campus Housing | Yes |
Student Faculty Ratio | 16:1 |
Graduation Rate | 72% |
Year Founded | 1947 |
Student Enrollment
Total Students18,030
14,488
3,542
Undergraduate Student
Male 5,071
Female 9,417
Graduate Student
Male 1,240
Female 2,302
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Top Rankings For University of North Carolina at Wilmington
UNCW Acceptance Rate and Admissions
APPLICATIONS15,792
ACCEPTANCE10,739
Acceptance Rate68%
Enrollment 2,470
Admissions | |
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Application Fee | $80 |
High School GPA | Required |
High School Rank | Required |
High School Transcripts | Required |
College Prep Courses | Recommended |
Recommendations | Required |
SAT/ACT | Considered But Not Required |
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) | Required |
Application Deadline | February 1 |
Common Application Accepted | Yes |
UNCW Tuition Cost & Financial Aid
The cost of attending the University of North Carolina at Wilmington will vary depending on residency and the type of degree sought. As of 2023, undergraduate resident students attending full-time can expect to pay approximately $4,443 in tuition per academic year. Non-residents, however, are charged at a higher rate. The cost of attendance for out-of-state, undergraduate students is estimated at $19,063 per year. Tuition rates are different for graduate students. Residents pay $4,720 per academic year, while non-residents are billed $19,104 per academic year.
It’s important to note that all students are responsible for paying an additional $2,795 in fees. Those interested in attending should also anticipate other expenses such as books, supplies, housing meals, transportation, health insurance, and personal purchases. The University of North Carolina at Wilmington projects that students will spend between $983 and $1,130 on books and supplies each year. The institution also offers housing and meal options. While there are many plans to choose from, the average cost of on-campus housing is $7,700 per year. Eating on campus will also cost around $4,420 per year.
The University of North Carolina at Wilmington offers four main types of financial aid to help offset the expense of a college education – grants, scholarships, federal work study, and loans. Those interested in receiving federal student aid must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), but the university also provides institutional merit scholarships. These are generally awarded based on certain academic criteria. There are also a limited number of need-based scholarships and grants available. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 72% of students entering postsecondary education for the first time at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington received some form of financial assistance. Of those, 49% still required some amount of financial assistance from student loans.
Average net price | 2020-2021 |
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Net Price | $18,792 |
Average Total Aid | $6,253 |
Students Receiving Financial Aid | 72% |
Room & Board | $12,120 |
Sticker Price
- Tuition In-State - $7,238
- Tuition Out-of-State - $21,858
- Books and Supplies - $1,130
- Room & Board - $12,120
- Other - $5,978
Popular Educational Academics at UNCW
The University of North Carolina at Wilmington offers a powerful academic experience to stimulate creative inquiry and critical thinking, as well as help foster a community rich in diversity, inclusion, and global perspectives. It maintains an intimate learning environment for undergraduate and graduate students, with engaged teaching, learning, and research.
Those enrolled can choose from more than 50 undergraduate majors, as well as several master’s and terminal degree programs offered by the following colleges and schools:
- Cameron School of Business
- College of Arts and Sciences
- College of Health and Human Services
- School of Health and Applied Human Sciences
- School of Nursing
- School of Social Work
- Watson College of Education
- Graduate School
According to data provided by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the University of North Carolina at Wilmington had a first-year undergraduate retention rate of 83% for full-time students and 33% for part-time students in fall 2021. Notably, the rates for those attending full-time are well above the national average of 68% for full-time students. Overall, this indicates that the mass majority of students enrolled at the university were happy enough with their experiences to return to the institution for a second year.
The overall graduation rate for full-time, first-time students who began their studies in fall 2015 was 72%, with a 21% transfer-out rate. Graduation rates indicate how frequently students complete their degrees or certificate programs within 150% of standard time, which is approximately six years. Most students strive to graduate within four years, however. Of those who started their education in 2015, 56% were able to graduate within this timeframe.
The University of North Carolina at Wilmington is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), which is recognized by the US Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Many of the institution’s programs are also independently accredited.
Retention
Rate
4 year
Graduation
Rate
6 year
Graduation
Rate
Student Population Total
Student Population 18,030
14,488
3,542
Most Popular Programs & Majors
(# of Diplomas Awarded by Subject)
All Health Professions and Related Majors | 960 Total Graduates / 26% |
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Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse | 739 Graduates |
Public Health, General | 112 Graduates |
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | 52 Graduates |
Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy | 49 Graduates |
All Business Majors | 663 Total Graduates / 18% |
Business Administration and Management, General | 663 Graduates |
All Biological and Biomedical Majors | 270 Total Graduates / 7% |
Biology/Biological Sciences, General | 184 Graduates |
Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography | 86 Graduates |
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology | 252 Total Graduates / 7% |
Exercise Science and Kinesiology | 182 Graduates |
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management, General | 43 Graduates |
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General | 27 Graduates |
All Psychology Majors | 205 Total Graduates / 7% |
Psychology, General | 205 Graduates |
All Other Diplomas | 39% |
Outcome & Salary
The University of North Carolina at Wilmington conducts a First Destination Survey to determine paid employment, enrollment in continued education, and volunteer work after graduation. Of those who responded in 2021, 74% reported being employed and just fewer than 15% said they were attending or had been accepted to graduate school. This means that approximately 14% were still seeking employment or admittance to further education at the time the survey was conducted. According to PayScale, graduates from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington earn an average base salary of $62,000 per year.
Graduates Salary | |
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College Grads Early Career Salary | $50,400 |
College Grads Average Salary | $62,000 |
College Grads Mid Career Salary | $86,200 |
Return on Investment (ROI) | |
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10 Year Salary Earnings Potential | $620,000 |
20 Year Salary Earnings Potential | $1,482,000 |
Cost of Education (Net Price) 4 Year | $75,168 |
10 Year Projected ROI | $544,832 |
20 Year Projected ROI | $1,406,832 |
No College Education Salary Comparison | |
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National Average Salary | $38,792 |
10 Year Projected Income | $387,920 |
20 Year Projected Income | $775,840 |
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