UNC Wilmington: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics

Dr. Allen Grove is an Alfred University English professor and a college admissions expert with over 20 years of experience helping students transition to college.

University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public university with an acceptance rate of 66%. Located in southeastern North Carolina five miles from Wrightsville Beach and the Atlantic Ocean, UNC Wilmington is part of the University of North Carolina state university system.

UNCW undergraduates can choose from 55 bachelor's degree programs. Professional fields such as business, communications, education, and nursing are the most popular. UNC Wilmington wins high marks for value, and among North Carolina's public universities it is second only to UNC Chapel Hill for its four-year graduation rate. On the athletic front, the UNCW Seahawks compete in the NCAA Division I Colonial Athletic Association.

Considering applying to UNC Wilmington? Here are the admissions statistics you should know, including average SAT/ACT scores and GPAs of admitted students.

Acceptance Rate

During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, UNC Wilmington had an acceptance rate of 66%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 66 students were admitted, making UNCW's admissions process somewhat competitive.

The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to UNC Wilmington. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in with a free Cappex account.

Admissions Chances

The University of North Carolina Wilmington, which accepts two-thirds of applicants, has a somewhat selective admissions process. If your SAT/ACT scores and GPA fall within the school's average ranges, you have a strong chance of being accepted. However, UNC Wilmington has a holistic admissions process involving other factors beyond your grades and test scores. UNCW is looking for an upward trend in grades combined with a rigorous course schedule. They are also looking for strong application essays and participation in meaningful extracurricular activities. Applicants are also encouraged to submit an optional letter of recommendation.

In the graph above, the blue and green dots represent accepted students. You can see that the majority of admitted students had high school grades in the "A" or "B" range, combined SAT scores of 1100 or higher, and ACT composite scores of 22 or better.