University of North Carolina Wilmington

www.uncw.edu

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2024 Undergraduate Tuition

$4,443

2024 Average Net Price

$18,976

After Financial Aid

2024 Acceptance Rate

64.2%

20,393 Applicants

2024 Enrolled Students

18,848

78.9% Full-Time

2024 Graduation Rate

70.6%

1,512 Graduates

About

University of North Carolina Wilmington is a higher education institution located in New Hanover County, NC. In 2024, the most popular Bachelors Degree concentrations at University of North Carolina Wilmington were Registered Nursing (775 degrees awarded), General Business Administration & Management (665 degrees), and General Psychology (302 degrees).

In 2024, 5,239 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at University of North Carolina Wilmington. 69.3% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 30.7% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (3,959 degrees), 9.78 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (405 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at University of North Carolina Wilmington is $4,443, which is $−27,477 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,920).

Photo by JB Kilpatrick

Doctoral Universities: Higher Research Activity Doctoral Universities

Costs

In 2024, the median undergraduate tuition at University of North Carolina Wilmington is $4,443, which is $27,477 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,920).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $18,976.

In 2024, 50% of undergraduate students attending University of North Carolina Wilmington received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 36% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$4,443

2024 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2024, the cost of tuition at University of North Carolina Wilmington was $4,443. The cost of tuition at University of North Carolina Wilmington is $−27,477 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,920).

This chart compares the tuition costs of University of North Carolina Wilmington (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$18,976

2024 Value

1.99%

1 Year Growth

In 2024 University of North Carolina Wilmington had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $18,976. Between 2023 and 2024, the average net price of University of North Carolina Wilmington grew by 1.99%.

This chart compares the average net price of University of North Carolina Wilmington (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$12,605

Room and Board

$1,130

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at University of North Carolina Wilmington was of $12,605 in 2024. The cost of room and board increased by 4% between 2023 and 2024.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,130. The cost of books and supplies did not change during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at University of North Carolina Wilmington (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

50%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

36%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

50% of undergraduate students at University of North Carolina Wilmington received financial aid through grants or loans in 2024. This represents a growth of 2.04% with respect to 2023, when 49% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at University of North Carolina Wilmington (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Admissions

University of North Carolina Wilmington received 20,393 undergraduate applications in 2024, which represents a 17.4% annual growth. Out of those 20,393 applicants, 13,101 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 64.2% acceptance rate.

There were 18,848 students enrolled at University of North Carolina Wilmington in 2024. 5% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

University of North Carolina Wilmington has an overall enrollment yield of 21%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

64.2%

Acceptance Rate in 2024

13,101

Accepted Out of 20,393

In 2024, the undergraduate acceptance rate of University of North Carolina Wilmington was 64.2% (13,101 admissions from 20,393 applications). This is lower than the acceptance rate of 2023, which was 74%. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of applicants grew by 17.4%, while admissions grew by 1.91%.

This chart compares the acceptance rate of University of North Carolina Wilmington (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

SAT Scores

Submission Percentage (2024)

138

Scores Submitted (2024)

5% of enrolled first-time students at University of North Carolina Wilmington in 2024 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

The following chart shows the average SAT scores for the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile of applicants for each section of the test that they are evaluated on.

Enrollment

University of North Carolina Wilmington had a total enrollment of 18,848 students in 2024. The full-time enrollment at University of North Carolina Wilmington is 14,875 students and the part-time enrollment is 3,973. This means that 78.9% of students enrolled at University of North Carolina Wilmington are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at University of North Carolina Wilmington, both undergraduate and graduate, is 75.6% White, 8.78% Hispanic or Latino, 5.51% Black or African American, 3.31% Two or More Races, 2.27% Asian, 0.52% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.159% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at University of North Carolina Wilmington in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Female (49.3%), followed by White Male (29.4%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (5.46%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (48.4%), followed by White Male (18.7%) and Black or African American Female (7.47%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

78.9%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at University of North Carolina Wilmington in 2024, both undergraduate and graduate, is 18,848 students. The full-time enrollment at University of North Carolina Wilmington is 14,875 and the part-time enrollment is 3,973. This means that 78.9% of students enrolled at University of North Carolina Wilmington are enrolled full-time compared with 77.3% at similar Doctoral Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at University of North Carolina Wilmington (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

88%

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. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at University of North Carolina Wilmington was 88%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Doctoral Universities (82%), University of North Carolina Wilmington had a retention rate higher than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at University of North Carolina Wilmington (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
14,242 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
1,654 enrolled students
Black or African American
1,038 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at University of North Carolina Wilmington is 75.6% White, 8.78% Hispanic or Latino, 5.51% Black or African American, 3.31% Two or More Races, 2.27% Asian, 0.52% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.159% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Doctoral Universities is 46.2% White, 16.3% Hispanic or Latino, and 10.4% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 379 students (2.01%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2024, 2,027 more women than men received degrees from University of North Carolina Wilmington. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at University of North Carolina Wilmington is white (3,959 degrees awarded). There were 9.78 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (405 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at University of North Carolina Wilmington is Registered Nursing (775 degrees awarded), followed by General Business Administration & Management (665 degrees) and General Psychology (302 degrees).

In 2024, the most specialized majors across all degree types at University of North Carolina Wilmington, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Natural Resources & Conservation (138 degrees awarded), Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (231 degrees), and History (86 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Other managers

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at University of North Carolina Wilmington are Other managers (283,086 people), Elementary & middle school teachers (176,630 people), Lawyers, & judges, magistrates, & other judicial workers (161,353 people), Postsecondary teachers (150,332 people), and Secondary school teachers (132,038 people).

The most specialized majors at University of North Carolina Wilmington in 2024 are Natural Resources & Conservation (138 degrees awarded), Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (231 degrees), History (86 degrees), Communications (250 degrees), and Physical Sciences (108 degrees) (as of 2024).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Surgeons

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at University of North Carolina Wilmington are Surgeons, Diagnostic medical sonographers, Magnetic resonance imaging technologists, Physicians, and Nuclear medicine technologists and medical dosimetrists

The most specialized majors at University of North Carolina Wilmington are Natural Resources & Conservation (138 degrees awarded), Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (231 degrees), History (86 degrees), Communications (250 degrees), and Physical Sciences (108 degrees) (as of 2024).

Common Industries by Major

Elementary & secondary schools

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at University of North Carolina Wilmington are Elementary & secondary schools (467,963 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (390,243 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (235,494 people), Computer Systems Design (227,594 people), and Management, scientific & technical consulting services (150,257 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by University of North Carolina Wilmington.

Most Common (2024)

Registered Nursing
775 degrees awarded
General Business Administration & Management
665 degrees awarded
General Psychology
302 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common bachelors degree concentration at University of North Carolina Wilmington was Registered Nursing with 775 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at University of North Carolina Wilmington according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

1,606

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2024

3,633

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2024

In 2024, 1,606 degrees were awarded to men at University of North Carolina Wilmington, which is 0.442 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (3,633).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at University of North Carolina Wilmington by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2024, 418 degrees were awarded to men at University of North Carolina Wilmington in General Business Administration & Management, which is 1.6 times more than the 262 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2024, 706 degrees were awarded to men at University of North Carolina Wilmington in Registered Nursing, which is 10.2 times more than the 69 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

59%

100% Completion Time

74%

150% Completion Time

In 2024, 59% of students graduating from University of North Carolina Wilmington completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 74% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 75% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Doctoral Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

Asian Female

Highest Graduation Rate (83.3%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2024 at University of North Carolina Wilmington is Female and Asian (83.3% graduation rate). Across all Doctoral Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (75.5%).

The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) categorizes any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the graduation rate of those students is shown in the chart below. Additionally, 2.45% of graduates (37 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
3,959 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
405 degrees awarded
Black or African American
348 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at University of North Carolina Wilmington is white (3,959 degrees awarded). There were 9.78 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (405 degrees).

2.67% of degree recipients (140 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2024)

White Female
2,817 degrees awarded
White Female
2,756 degrees awarded
White Female
2,747 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at University of North Carolina Wilmington is white female (2,817 degrees awarded). There were 1.02 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white female (2,756 degrees).

Operations

University of North Carolina Wilmington has an endowment valued at nearly $162M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 28.8M (17.8%) compared to the 9.4% average return (23.7M on 252M) across all Doctoral Universities.

In 2024, University of North Carolina Wilmington had a total salary expenditure of 470M. University of North Carolina Wilmington employs 216 Associate professors, 197 Assistant professors and 197 Professors. Most academics at University of North Carolina Wilmington are Male Professor (116), Female Associate professor (115), and Female Assistant professor (110).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at University of North Carolina Wilmington are: Office and Administrative Support, with 338 employees, Business and Financial Operations, with 217 employees, and Computer, Engineering, and Science with 212 employees.

Endowment

$162M

2024 Endowment

9.81%

growth from 2023

University of North Carolina Wilmington has an endowment valued at about $162M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The endowment of University of North Carolina Wilmington grew 9.81% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $89.9M lower than than the median endowment of Doctoral Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at University of North Carolina Wilmington (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Doctoral Universities: Higher Research Activity Carnegie Classification grouping.

Government Grants and Contracts

Grants & Contracts

$12.3M - Federal
$4.24M - State
$732k - Local

As of 2024, University of North Carolina Wilmington received $12.3M in grants and contracts from the federal government, $4.24M from state grants and contracts, and $732k from local grants and contracts.

Salary Expenditure

$193M

2024 Salaries

8.42%

growth from 2023

In 2024, University of North Carolina Wilmington paid a median of $193M in salaries, which represents 41.2% of their overall expenditure ($470M) and a 8.42% growth from the previous year. This is compared to a 4.18% growth between 2022 and 2023, and a 6.59% growth between 2021 and 2022.

Instructional Salaries

$71.4M

Instructional Salaries

778

Number of Employees

In 2024, University of North Carolina Wilmington paid a total of $71.4M to 778 employees working as instructors, which represents 37% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $4.1M (2.29%) for similar Doctoral Universities.

Occupations by Share

In 2024, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at University of North Carolina Wilmington were Office and Administrative Support with 338 employees, Business and Financial Operations with 217 employees, and Computer, Engineering, and Science with 212 employees.

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