Getting Accepted to the UNCW and Top Majors in 2023-2024

The University of North Carolina – Wilmington is one of 17 higher education institutions within the University of North Carolina system.

Although it’s a regional campus within the system, UNC-Wilmington draws students from outside of North Carolina and is considered a moderately selective school, given the strength of its academic programs. For those wondering about what it takes to get accepted into the University of North Carolina – Wilmington, here’s an overview of admission criteria and the most popular academic programs available to current and incoming students.

Acceptance rates at UNC Wilmington

Common questions that come to mind for new students considering the University of North Carolina – Wilmington are:

  • Is UNC Wilmington easy to get into?
  • What GPA do you need to get into UNC Wilmington?
  • Can I get into UNC Wilmington with a 2.5 GPA?

Here’s a rundown on these questions to address your concerns about admission requirements at the University of North Carolina – Wilmington.

Is UNC Wilmington easy to get into?

The acceptance rate at the University of North Carolina – Wilmington is 68%, making it a moderately selective school for first-year admissions. Students applying to UNC Wilmington should have a well-rounded application, a strong grade point average, challenging high school coursework and extracurriculars, and an above-average SAT or ACT score. Nearly two-thirds of all applicants to UNC Wilmington have an SAT score of between 1200 and 1399.

What GPA do you need to get into UNC Wilmington?

The University of North Carolina – Wilmington looks for a 2.5-grade point average for incoming transfer students with at least 24 hours of college credit. Given these requirements, incoming first-year students would need to demonstrate a higher GPA and academic focus in high school since they would be applying without college credits and a record of success in a college setting.

Can I get into UNC Wilmington with a 2.5 GPA?

First-year students applying to the University of North Carolina – Wilmington during their senior year of high school will likely need a grade point average above 2.5 to be admitted. This is due to UNC Wilmington’s status as a moderately selective school, where only 68% of applicants are accepted. Those with a grade point average at or below 2.5 have a better chance of admission with a robust, standardized test score – on the higher end of the 1200 – 1399 range in which most applicants fall – or advanced high school coursework that may have contributed to the grade point average.

How many majors are offered at UNC Wilmington?

The University of North Carolina offers 60 different majors across five colleges. The colleges at UNC Wilmington are:

  1. Cameron School of Business
  2. College of Health and Human Services
  3. Watson College of Education
  4. College of Arts & Sciences
  5. Engineering

Some majors require coursework across colleges, such as the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, which includes courses in both the School of Business and the College of Arts & Sciences. In addition to the 60 majors available, UNC Wilmington offers more than 50 different minors to supplement a student’s education. These minors range from career-focused programs like Assistance Dog Training Minor, arts programs like the Jazz Studies Minor, and supplemental academic programs like the Business Minor.

Nestled in an urban landscape, the expansive 661-acre campus flourished with a lively undergraduate community of over 17,000 students in 2022

The two most popular undergraduate majors at the University of North Carolina – Wilmington are business administration and nursing. These two programs alone account for almost 40% of the undergraduate degrees issued by UNC Wilmington.

The Cameron School of Business at UNC Wilmington offers three different degree programs for undergraduates:

  1. Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA)
  2. Bachelor of Arts in Economics
  3. Bachelor of Science in Information Technology

Within the main BSBA program, the School of Business offers various concentrations for undergraduates to focus their business studies on a subject area more related to their career goals. The concentration options for the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program include the following:

  1. Accountancy
  2. Business Analytics
  3. Economics
  4. Entrepreneurship and Business Development
  5. Finance
  6. Human Resource Management
  7. Information Systems
  8. International Business
  9. Management and Leadership
  10. Marketing – Marketing Strategy
  11. Marketing – Professional Selling
  12. Supply Chain Management

Given the rigorous coursework and program requirements, the School of Nursing at UNC Wilmington has fewer degree options but a more focused program for undergraduates pursuing a Bachelors of Science in Nursing. In addition to the BSN program, the School of Nursing also offers a Pre-Licensure program for students who plan to take the National Counsel Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses.

Academic rankings at UNC Wilmington

In its 2023 rankings, U.S. News & World Report placed the University of North Carolina Wilmington at the #96 spot for Top Public Schools in the country and #187 in National Universities, which includes both public and private colleges. The only undergraduate program to be ranked nationally is the School of Nursing, which ranked 120th nationally for nursing programs.

Top Graduate programs at UNC Wilmington

The University of North Carolina’s graduate program has gained national recognition for its online education efforts. In recent years, UNC Wilmington has seen its rankings rise for online graduate programs in nursing, business, and education. Recent recognitions from the U.S. News and World Report graduate program rankings include:

  • Best Online Master’s in Nursing – top 50
  • Best Online Master’s in Nursing Education Programs – top 10
  • Best Online Master’s of Business
  • Best Online Master’s in Education

Finding Your Home at UNC Wilmington

Situated near campus, Seahawk Landing features one, two, and three-bedroom apartments. Enjoy flexible lease terms for one-bedroom units while two and three-bedroom options align with the academic calendar!

Dive into a world of amenities, including two outdoor pools, a 24-hour fitness center, study rooms, a resident lounge, a dog park, and a dedicated onsite management & maintenance team!

Easily walk or bike to the north side of the UNC Wilmington campus or explore nearby retail and restaurant hotspots along College Road! For availability, roommate matching, and pricing, call the Seahawk Landing onsite team at (910) 756-3642 today! 📞