The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), also known as the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, is a public research university located in Wilmington, North Carolina. As part of the University of North Carolina system, UNCW enrolls 17,499 undergraduate and graduate students annually. The university holds the designation of "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity."
Established on September 4, 1947, Wilmington College began as a junior college, primarily serving World War II veterans. It evolved into a four-year liberal arts institution in 1963, following legislative approval from the North Carolina General Assembly. In 1969, it achieved university status and adopted its current name, the University of North Carolina Wilmington. UNCW now operates three campuses: its main campus in Wilmington, an extension campus in Jacksonville, North Carolina, and the Center for Marine Science near Myrtle Grove, North Carolina.
Academics
The university comprises eight distinct colleges, each contributing to a diverse academic environment. These include the Cameron School of Business, the College of Health and Human Services, the College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts, the College of Science and Engineering, the Watson College of Education, the Graduate School, the Honors College, and the University College.
In total, the university offers a robust selection of programs, featuring 55 undergraduate degrees, 35 master’s degrees, and four doctoral degrees. These programs reflect a commitment to providing comprehensive educational opportunities across various disciplines.
What is the University of North Carolina Wilmington US News National Rankings 2025?
The University of North Carolina Wilmington ranks 196 according to the US News National Rankings 2025.
University of North Carolina Wilmington Global Ranking
The University is still awaiting its official rankings from prominent organisations such as QS, Times Higher Education, and US News and World Report. Despite its growing reputation and contributions to academia, the university has not yet been featured in the rankings published by these influential bodies. But it has been ranked at #196 of the U.S. News in 2025.
Although the University continues to develop its academic programs and research initiatives, it remains unranked by these major international ranking institutions. The absence of a ranking from QS, Times Higher Education, and US News does not reflect the quality of education or research output but simply indicates that the university has not been formally assessed by these specific agencies.
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Frequently asked questions on University of North Carolina Wilmington Ranking 2025
1: Do transfer courses count toward university studies?
A: Yes, currently transfer work counts in University Studies requirements, except where indicated on the Degree Audit and in the UNCW Catalogue. Residency requirements affect Building Competencies (three of the six hours in Writing Intensive and Information Literacy - those required in the major must be taken at UNCW) and Explorations Beyond the Classroom requirements.
2: How will students know requirements?
A: The Degree Audit displays the correct University Studies requirements for each student's catalogue year.