University of North Carolina Wilmington: Degrees and Campus Life

The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), often called "UNC by the Sea," stands as North Carolina’s coastal university. Located in Wilmington, a vibrant beach town on the southeastern coast, UNCW offers a unique blend of academic rigor and coastal charm. Its campus is just 15 minutes from the nearest beach community and the social hub of the historic riverfront downtown area.

A Coastal University with a Personal Touch

UNCW provides a learning environment that combines the resources of a public institution with the personalized attention often found in private schools. While the university has about 18,000 total students (15,254 undergraduates in fall 2024), the average class size of 27 and a student-to-faculty ratio of 17:1 (as of 2024) fosters close interaction between students and professors. This is reflected in student experiences, with many praising the helpfulness and approachability of the faculty. Students are required to submit evaluations of the professor. In my opinion, this keeps the teachers on track.

Academic Programs and Distinctions

UNCW offers a wide array of academic programs across various disciplines. The university offers 56 majors ranging from education humanities arts sciences business and more! Some of our highlight programs include Nursing Film Studies Marine Biology Coastal Engineering and Psychology. Psychology, Nursing, and Business Administration Management are top majors at this state university.

The most popular majors at University of North Carolina--Wilmington include: Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse; Business Administration and Management, General; Psychology, General; Speech Communication and Rhetoric; Exercise Science and Kinesiology; Biology/Biological Sciences, General; Environmental Science; Computer Science; Criminology; and Elementary Education and Teaching.

UNCW is recognized as a military-friendly university, maintaining strong ties with the Marine Corps Base.

Tuition, Cost & Aid

For the academic year, the tuition costs are as follows:

In-State Tuition: \$7,317
Out-of-State Tuition: \$22,985

Additional costs include:

Room and Board: \$12,605
Books and Supplies: \$1130

The average net price, which takes into account financial aid, is \$17,946.

A significant portion of UNCW students receive financial assistance. The university provides various forms of aid, including federal and institutional grants and scholarships. In total, the university awards millions in needs-based and non-need-based scholarships and grants.

Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants \$39,750,356
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants \$4,664,162

For students who borrow loans, the average federal loan amount per year is \$5,247, while the average other loans per year amount to \$15,623.

Read also: History of the Block 'M'

Campus Life and Resources

UNCW provides a rich campus life with numerous resources and facilities for students.

Housing

The Department of Housing and Residence Life manages thirty-five residence halls and on-campus apartment/suite buildings. On-campus living is required of freshman. A residential quad on the south-central side of campus, comprising Belk Hall, Graham Hall, Hewlett Hall, Loggerhead Hall, Pelican Hall, Sandpiper Hall and Terrapin Hall, houses almost 2,400 students. Galloway Hall was UNCW's first residence facility on campus. It was the first dorm in the UNC system to be built with air conditioning and was originally called "Dorm '71." Belk, Graham and Hewlett residence halls are configured in suite-style hall arrangements with up to eight individuals sharing a bathroom. Combined they house 570 first-year students. Pelican Hall and Sandpiper Hall were completed in 2020 as a part of the larger housing quad project. Schwartz Hall houses 160 residents and is home to mostly first-year students. Adjacent to Schwartz Hall are the University Suites, and the Fraternity and Sorority Village, which consist of seven pod-style buildings housing 400 students. Keystone Hall, Cornerstone Hall, and Innovation House form a residential area known as "Tri-House." All three residence halls were constructed in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Combined the area can house 465 students, with 265 students in Cornerstone Hall, and 100 in Keystone and Innovation House respectively. Three on-campus apartment complexes are located at UNCW, Seahawk Village, Seahawk Crossing, and Seahawk Landing. The Seahawks are reserved for graduate students and upperclass students (including sophomores). Seahawk Village contains two, three, and four bedroom apartments, which house 524 students within six apartment buildings. Additionally, Seahawk Village contains a pool and clubhouse, accessible only to residents. Seahawk Landing contains similar two, three, and four bedroom apartments, with a combined 662 students living in seven buildings.

Student Recreation Center

The Student Recreation Center is a hub for fitness and recreational activities. It houses three basketball courts, exercise machines, a weight training area, an indoor running track, and an indoor climbing wall. It also includes a group exercise room which supports multiple clubs and activities, including Yoga, Pilates, and an Aikido club. In 2012, the Student Recreation Center completed an expansion of facilities, as well as construction on a new natatorium.

Lumina Theater

Lumina Theater, named after the boardwalk theater that was once found on Wrightsville Beach, features 333 stadium seats, a 15.5' x 30' screen, Dolby Digital surround sound, and a digital projection system. Lumina screens blockbusters, independents, cult classics, art films, international films and student films throughout the academic year, several days a week, except during University holidays and breaks.

Library Services

William Madison Randall Library supports the mission of the University by providing information resources and learner-centered services and by cultivating a rich physical and virtual environment dedicated to the open exchange of ideas and an information-literate community. Randall Library and TAC provide a variety of resources to support your technology needs!Over 115 computers, including Macs, in the first floor Learning CommonsLaptops (Dell and Apple) available to checkout at the TAC for in-library useDesignated Graduate Student space on the second floor with additional computersSpecialized computers, software and technology assistance provided by the TAC

Read also: Legacy of Fordham University

Campus Life Facilities

At the heart of campus, the Campus Life facilities serve as the crossroads of the UNCW community, providing a welcoming place for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and visitors to connect with each other as they share meals, rest and study, enjoy programs, and celebrate during events.

Sports facilities

The UNCW Sport Club Program is made up of UNCW Student Organizations and is administered by the Department of Campus Recreation. The Department of Campus Recreation provides professional support to the clubs and the Competitive Sports Staff serve as advisors to the Sport Club Council, clubs, and members.

Student clubs

The UNCW Alumni Association is the lead supporter in the university's strategic vision. Our purpose is to connect and involve alumni, students and friends in the promotion and advancement of the university.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Providing the necessary accommodations to ensure complete access to, and full participation in, the educational process does not require the instructor to compromise academic standards when evaluating academic performance.Accommodations are made based on the documentation supplied by the student.To obtain accommodations the student should contact the Disability Resource Center and present their documentation to the Director for review and verification. When the documentation is verified and approved, the student will be supported in his/her request for academic accommodations.

Athletics

UNCW athletic teams are known as the Seahawks. They are NCAA's Division I members fielding 18 teams, 8 varsity athletic teams for men (baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, swimming, tennis, track & field) and 10 for women (basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track & field, volleyball, beach volleyball). UNCW is a member of the Coastal Athletic Association. The men's and women's basketball teams play at Trask Coliseum and the baseball team plays at Brooks Field.

A Look Back: History and Growth

Established in 1947 as Wilmington College, the institution initially served veterans returning from World War II. In the institution’s first commencement ceremony in 1949, legendary Wilmington College President John T. Hoggard reflected on the efforts by local citizens to establish a place of higher learning in Wilmington, recognizing their commitment to a project designed to enhance the quality of life in the region by offering “ambitious young men and women” the advantage of an excellent education. It transitioned to a four-year liberal arts college in 1963 and achieved university status in 1969, becoming part of the University of North Carolina system. UNCW opened its doors on September 4, 1947, as Wilmington College. At the time, it operated as a junior college offering freshman-level courses to 238 students during the first school year, 77% of whom were veterans returning from military service following World War II. Under the control of the New Hanover County Board of Education, Wilmington College earned accreditation from the North Carolina College Conference in 1948 and became a member of the American Association of Junior Colleges. Wilmington College became a four-year liberal arts college on July 1, 1963, when the North Carolina General Assembly passed legislation allowing it to award bachelor's degrees. Six years later, July 1, 1969, the college was elevated to university status under its present name, becoming the fifth campus of the University of North Carolina system.

Accreditation

The University of North Carolina Wilmington is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees.

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