UNCW has come a long way from its early days as Wilmington College. We’ve built a national and global profile while strengthening ties to our state, region, and local community. We’re increasingly diverse, driven to see our students succeed, and committed to business and neighborhood partnerships.
Racking Up Rankings
- #109 among the best public national universities in the state and nation in U.S. News & World Report “2023-24 Best Colleges”
- 19th on Military Times’ “Best for Vets 2023 Colleges” (the top-ranked N.C. school)
- Listed in the best-selling Fiske Guide to Colleges since 2017
- Featured on the Princeton Review’s list of Best Southeastern Schools
See more rankings
Building Academic Breadth & Depth
We offer numerous bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs across our colleges and schools.
- United focus on applied learning, with emphasis on internships, research, study abroad, community-based projects and other high-impact experiences that grow critical thinking and hands-on skills
- Strong graduation rates - 83% for the class that entered UNCW in 2015
- Academic programs like coastal engineering are designed to meet regional and national needs
Learn more about UNCW academics
Growing Our Research Enterprise
Students and faculty are active partners in discovery, recognizing that research enriches education.
- Earned Carnegie Classification as a doctoral university with high research activity in 2018, a testament to our focus on expanding research
- More than $15 million in external research funding for FY 2022 – grants and contracts that advance our mission and flow into the regional economy
- Recipient of a $1.6 million U.S. Department of Justice grant to house the National Drug Court Resource Center
See more research highlights
Keeping Wilmington a Great Place to Live
UNCW education, expertise, and events enrich our whole community.
- Year-round slate of arts, sports and cultural events open to the public
- Youth outreach programs like MarineQuest
Find more community connections
Boosting Business & Economic Growth
UNCW is an economic engine for the region and an engaged partner with established businesses, entrepreneurs, and non-profit enterprises.
- Training, mentoring, and networking through UNCW’s Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CIE)
- UNCW and Southeast NC are positioned to grow a world-class Blue Economy and the CIE is taking action to implement a strategy to make that happen
- The annual Outlook Conference brings the business community together to better understand the local, regional and national economies
Investing in Our Campus
Over the past few years, UNCW has undertaken approximately $450 million in campus construction – 23 buildings constructed or restored, four parking lots finished, multiple roofs replaced, and two multiple-unit, modular structures built.
- The University Film Center boasts a 4,000-square-foot soundstage and state-of-the-art 80-seat movie theater.
- In 2020, UNCW paid homage to its founding as a school for World War II veterans with the opening of Veterans Hall. The 145,000-square-foot facility houses the College of Health and Human Services and faculty and staff from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Office of Military Affairs.
- The Student Housing Village has four new residence halls including a success center where students can find academic, advising and career assistance; two classrooms and two makerspaces; dining venues on a vibrant market-like street and a connecting path that guides students to Chancellor’s Walk and the academic heart of campus.
- A significant expansion of UNCW Library is underway.
Find more campus info
Helping Student-Athletes Achieve
UNCW fields a total of 19 athletic programs at the NCAA Division I level.
- Six athletic programs – baseball, softball, men's and women's cross country, men's soccer, and volleyball – received the NCAA Public Recognition Award for placing among the top 10 nationally in the classroom.
- The department captured another five Coastal Athletic Association championships in 2024, had four CAA Players of the Year and had 39 student-athletes selected for All-Region, All-District or All-American honors.
- The baseball program saw three alums make their Major League Baseball debuts during the 2024 season, bring the total number of Seahawks to play at the MLB level to 15.
Seahawk athletics
Uniting the Seahawk Community
Our almost 18,000 students and 2,500 employees join a global network of alumni and friends.
- Like No Other campaign raised more than $134 million for students, faculty, alumni and facilities
- $10 million gift from David and Helen Congdon in 2018-19 was the largest in UNCW history