University of North Carolina Wilmington Acceptance Rate &
University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public research university in Wilmington, North Carolina, with about 14,922 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 64.24% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $54,967 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $7,277
- 2024 Average Net Price: $20,109 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 64.24% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 14,922 87.0% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 70.59%
- Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity
- First-Generation Students: 25.9%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 1.1% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 0.2% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 72.0%
- Average SAT Score: 1287
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 16,999
- Applicants (IPEDS): 17,370
- Room & Board: $14,268 annual estimate
University of North Carolina Wilmington: what the data shows
Common questions about University of North Carolina Wilmington, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is University of North Carolina Wilmington?
University of North Carolina Wilmington is located in Wilmington, NC (ZIP 28403-5963).
NCES locale classification: Suburb.
Is University of North Carolina Wilmington public or private?
University of North Carolina Wilmington is a Public institution.
How much does University of North Carolina Wilmington cost?
Published tuition: $7,277 in-state, $24,152 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $20,109.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $10,778 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $12,572 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $17,378 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $24,046 |
| $110,001+ | $25,573 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $29,108.
How hard is it to get into University of North Carolina Wilmington?
Admission rate: 64.24%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1287 and midpoint ACT 26.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is University of North Carolina Wilmington?
Total enrollment: 14,922 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 16,999 students.
Graduate enrollment: 3,594 students.
About 87% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at University of North Carolina Wilmington?
150%-time completion rate: 70.59%.
First-year retention: 88.2%.
What do graduates of University of North Carolina Wilmington earn?
Median earnings: $46,972 six years after entry; $54,967 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $19,500.
23.95% of students receive Pell grants.
What is University of North Carolina Wilmington known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (775 completions)
- Business Administration and Management, General (680 completions)
- Psychology, General (326 completions)
- Management Science (304 completions)
- Health/Health Care Administration/Management (196 completions)
- Speech Communication and Rhetoric (187 completions)
- Exercise Science and Kinesiology (173 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (168 completions)
- Social Work (151 completions)
- Environmental Science (129 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is University of North Carolina Wilmington a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 64.24%; completion rate 70.59%; median earnings $54,967 at 10 years; net price $20,109. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$7,277
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at University of North Carolina Wilmington was $7,277.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$20,109
2024 Value
In 2024 University of North Carolina Wilmington had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $20,109.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$80,436 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$20,109 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$29,108 4-Year In-State Tuition
$96,608 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$14,268 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$860 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$22,405 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$89,620 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for University of North Carolina Wilmington.
Financial Aid by Income Level
23.95% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
36.13% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at University of North Carolina Wilmington was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for University of North Carolina Wilmington in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $6,343 | $18,480 | $13,618 |
| 2014 | $6,392 | $20,420 | $15,604 |
| 2015 | $6,691 | $20,557 | $15,909 |
| 2016 | $6,951 | $20,920 | $16,793 |
| 2017 | $7,000 | $21,065 | $18,093 |
| 2018 | $7,091 | $21,156 | $18,910 |
| 2019 | $7,181 | $21,246 | $19,055 |
| 2020 | $7,181 | $21,246 | $19,136 |
| 2021 | $7,238 | $21,303 | $19,999 |
| 2022 | $7,238 | $21,858 | $19,442 |
| 2023 | $7,317 | $22,985 | $19,472 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
64.24% Acceptance Rate
17,370 Total Applicants
12,856 Students Admitted
2,701 First-Time Students Enrolled
21.01% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1287
ACT Average: 26
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.3 - 3.5
Estimated Median GPA: 3.40
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
University of North Carolina Wilmington reported total enrollment of about 14,922 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 37% male and 63% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (78.8%), Hispanic or Latino (9.1%), and Black or African American (4.1%). About 23.95% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 25.9% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
87.0% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at University of North Carolina Wilmington in 2024 is 14,922 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 16,999 students. Graduate enrollment is about 3,594 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
88.2%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 78.8%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
56.40% 100% Completion Time
70.59% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 56.40% of students graduating from University of North Carolina Wilmington completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 9% male / 91% female
- Business Administration and Management, General: 61% male / 39% female
- Psychology, General: 17% male / 83% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for University of North Carolina Wilmington.
Return on Investment
$19,500 Median Student Debt
$54,967 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
35.48% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
583.36% Return on Investment
3.5 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for University of North Carolina Wilmington.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 83 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 775 completions
2. Business Administration and Management, General: 680 completions
3. Psychology, General: 326 completions
4. Management Science: 304 completions
5. Health/Health Care Administration/Management: 196 completions
6. Speech Communication and Rhetoric: 187 completions
7. Exercise Science and Kinesiology: 173 completions
8. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 168 completions
9. Social Work: 151 completions
Most popular programs at University of North Carolina Wilmington.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for University of North Carolina Wilmington from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 72.0%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $10,074
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $10,765
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public institution located in Wilmington, NC, classified as Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Business Administration and Management, General, Psychology, General. Enrollment is approximately 14,922 students. Student body composition includes White (78.8%), Hispanic or Latino (9.1%), Black or African American (4.1%). The admission rate is 64.24%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1287. The 150%-time completion rate is 70.59%. Approximately 23.95% of students receive Pell Grants. About 25.9% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity
Location
Wilmington, NC 28403-5963
Region: Southeast
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 83 distinct degree programs, University of North Carolina Wilmington provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is University of North Carolina Wilmington located?
University of North Carolina Wilmington is located in Wilmington, NC.
What is University of North Carolina Wilmington's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at University of North Carolina Wilmington is 64.2% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 17,370 applicants and 12,856 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does University of North Carolina Wilmington cost?
Reported tuition is $7,277 and average net price is $20,109 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $14,268 annually.
What is the student body demographics at University of North Carolina Wilmington?
University of North Carolina Wilmington reports undergraduate enrollment of about 16,999 students, White (78.8%), Hispanic or Latino (9.1%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend University of North Carolina Wilmington?
About 25.9% of students at University of North Carolina Wilmington are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for University of North Carolina Wilmington?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, University of North Carolina Wilmington reports midpoint SAT about 1287 and midpoint ACT about 26.
What do graduates of University of North Carolina Wilmington earn?
Median earnings are $46,972 six years after entry and $54,967 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at University of North Carolina Wilmington?
The 150%-time completion rate is 70.6% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do University of North Carolina Wilmington students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $19,500.
Is University of North Carolina Wilmington public or private?
University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public institution located in Wilmington, NC.
Is University of North Carolina Wilmington an HBCU?
No. University of North Carolina Wilmington is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is University of North Carolina Wilmington a tribal college?
No. University of North Carolina Wilmington is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- North Carolina college costs
- North Carolina colleges by ROI
- Wilmington, North Carolina city profile
- Southeast regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in North Carolina
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.