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 growing thoughtfully, driven to see our students succeed, and committed to community partnerships.
Racking Up Rankings
- #107 among the best public national universities in the state and nation in U.S. News & World Report “2024-25 Best Colleges”
- #12th among the best online bachelor’s degree programs in 2025 (U.S. News & World Report)
- #1 in North Carolina and #8 in the southeast on Military Times’ “Best for Vets 2024 Colleges” list
- Top 100 Best Undergraduate Nursing Programs in 2025 (U.S. News & World Report)
- Listed in the best-selling Fiske Guide to Colleges since 2017
More about rankings
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
- Retention rates reached 88%, an all-time high, in 2023-24
- Academic programs like coastal engineering are designed to meet regional and national needs
Learn more about UNCW academics
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 $129 million in sponsored research funding since 2018 – grants and contracts that advance our mission and flow into the regional economy
See more research highlights
In a Great Place
Wilmington is in one of the “South’s Best Cities on the Rise,” according to the April 2024 edition of Southern Living. Our city and campus have been the filming location for shows and movies over the years, including Dawson’s Creek, One Tree Hill, Iron Man 3 and, more recently, The Summer I Turned Pretty.
Find more community connections
Economic Impact
UNCW is an economic engine for the region and an engaged partner with established businesses, entrepreneurs, and non-profit enterprises.
- Training, mentoring and networking is offered 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.
- Driving economic growth and enhancing prosperity in the southeast NC region, UNCW had a $3.2 billion impact in the state and more than $1.6 billion in the region.
See the latest impact study
Strategic Growth
Putting students first, supporting world-class faculty and staff, offering powerful learning experiences and making the most of its proximity to the ocean are UNCW’s hallmarks. The university is guided by “Soar High Together,” a 10-year strategic plan that emphasizes unparalleled opportunities, nationally prominent programs, community commitment, and world-class operations and infrastructure anchoring its future growth.
See the strategic plan
The 2024 Campus Master Plan provides direction for physical improvements to help realize the vision of the strategic plan. A road map for future growth, the plan is based on historical, land use and natural frameworks that guide its recommendations.
See the Campus Master Plan
We Are the Seahawks
UNCW fields intercollegiate teams in NCAA Division I and competes in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA). Four-year class averages and graduation rates of the university’s student-athletes rank among the highest for NCAA Division I public universities in the state.
The department captured five CAA championships in 2024, had four CAA Players of the Year and 39 student-athletes selected for All-Region, All-District or All-America honors.
UNCW fields a total of 19 athletic programs at the NCAA Division I level as well as more than 60 intramural and club sports.
Explore Seahawk athletics
Seahawk Community
Our more than 18,800 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
- $25 million gift from Dr. Yousry Sayed and his wife, Linda ’78, ’85M, in 2025 was the largest in UNCW history
See what giving can do at UNCW
