Wilmington, North Carolina · ★ 3.0 / 5 Overall (1 Student Review)
Edward Orde / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Public · 4-year · Doctoral
The University of North Carolina Wilmington, or University of North Carolina at Wilmington, (UNC Wilmington or UNCW) is a public research university in Wilmington, North Carolina. It is part of the University of North Carolina system and enrolled 18,848 undergraduate and graduate students in 2024. It is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity". Founded on September 4, 1947, Wilmington College opened as a junior college, primarily providing education to World War II veterans. The school became a four-year liberal arts college in 1963, following legislation from the North Carolina General Assembly. In 1969, the college became a university and was renamed as the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Today, it has three campuses with the main campus in Wilmington, an extension campus in Jacksonville, North Carolina, and the Center for Marine Science near Myrtle Grove, North Carolina.
National rank
Ranked #305 in the US by CWUR (2026). Source: CWUR US ↗
National rank
Ranked #440 in Forbes Top Colleges (2026). Source: Forbes ↗
World rank
Ranked #1888 globally by CWUR (2026). Source: CWUR World ↗
Unfiltered student reviews about the real
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601 South College Road, Wilmington, North Carolina, 28403-5963
Visit University Site25th–75th percentile
SAT total: 1220–1360
SAT ERW: 620–690
SAT math: 600–670
ACT composite: 24–28
Total: 17,987
Undergrad: 14,494
Undergrad full-time: 12,465
Graduate: 3,493
Part-time: 3,873
In-state
Tuition: $7,317
Total cost on campus: $27,030
Out-of-state
Tuition: $22,985
Total cost on campus: $42,698
Room & board: $12,605
Books & supplies: $1,130
Receive aid: 72%
Avg grant aid: $6,516
Pell grant recipients: 22%
Rent: $853 / mo
Average city asking rent, as a roommate share. Zillow Observed Rent Index.
Coffee: $5.25
State average cafe price. Numbeo, 2024.
Gas: $4.14 / gal
State average price. AAA.
Average meal: $7.30
Published board plan, per meal. IPEDS.