University of North Carolina Wilmington Acceptance Rate
Wilmington, North Carolina · Public · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 17,370
- Admitted
- 12,856
- Yield
- 21%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, University of North Carolina Wilmington's acceptance rate has risen from 58.6% in 2014–15 to 74% in 2023–24. Applications grew from 11,523 to 17,370 (+51%) over that period.
Its 74% rate makes University of North Carolina Wilmington more selective than about 54% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 53 tracked North Carolina schools, it is more selective than about 58%.
In 2023–24, women were admitted at a higher rate (77.3% for women vs 67.6% for men, a 9.7-point gap). University of North Carolina Wilmington has been test-optional since 2021–22. Of admitted students, 21% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 11,523 | 6,747 | 58.6% | 2,159 |
| 2015–16 | 11,444 | 6,976 | 61% | 2,029 |
| 2016–17 | 10,443 | 7,493 | 71.8% | 2,223 |
| 2017–18 | 11,677 | 7,767 | 66.5% | 2,145 |
| 2018–19 | 13,117 | 8,034 | 61.2% | 2,161 |
| 2019–20 | 13,287 | 8,697 | 65.5% | 2,342 |
| 2020–21 | 13,633 | 9,266 | 68% | 2,025 |
| 2021–22 | 15,792 | 10,736 | 68% | 2,435 |
| 2022–23 | 16,860 | 11,605 | 68.8% | 2,370 |
| 2023–24 | 17,370 | 12,856 | 74% | 2,701 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 11,467 | 8,865 | 77.3% |
| Men | 5,902 | 3,991 | 67.6% |
| Unknown | 1 | 0 | 0% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 620–690 | 7% |
| SAT Math | 600–670 | |
| ACT Composite | 24–28 | 16% |
How University of North compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is University of North Carolina Wilmington's acceptance rate?
University of North Carolina Wilmington's acceptance rate is 74% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (12,856 admitted of 17,370 applicants).
Is University of North Carolina Wilmington test optional?
University of North Carolina Wilmington is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to University of North Carolina Wilmington?
University of North Carolina Wilmington received 17,370 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 12,856.
What SAT score do you need for University of North Carolina Wilmington?
Admitted students at University of North Carolina Wilmington typically scored 620–690 on SAT Reading/Writing and 600–670 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is University of North Carolina Wilmington getting harder to get into?
University of North Carolina Wilmington has become easier to get into: its acceptance rate went from 58.6% in 2014–15 to 74% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: www.uncw.edu/.