More than 74 percent of freshmen surveyed said UNCW was their first choice.
UNCW has one of the highest four-year graduation rates in the UNC System, second only to UNC Chapel Hill.

The University of North Carolina Wilmington boasts of undergraduate learning opportunities second to none and professors whose commitment to knowledge is surpassed only by their dedication to students. It offers effective learning environments that integrate teaching and mentoring with research and service at a level that rivals exclusive research institutions of similar size.

Students consistently praise the quality of their interactions with faculty and express a high degree of satisfaction with their overall educational experience. The faculty culture emphasizes teaching and mentoring, incorporating research as an important component of the undergraduate learning experience and an opportunity to have an impact on the state’s most pressing issues. International experiences are encouraged through study abroad programs and language and culture studies on campus.

UNCW continues to be a popular choice for high school students seeking to continue their education. Of the 9,266 students who applied, 1,948 were accepted as freshman for fall 2009. Total enrollment is nearly 13,000. The average SAT score (critical reading and math, only) for freshmen was 1168, and their high school grade point average was 3.78.

The university is organized into the College of Arts and Sciences, the Cameron School of Business, the School of Nursing, the Watson School of Education and the Graduate School.

With bachelor’s degrees in 52 majors, 35 master's degrees, a Ph.D. in marine biology and an Ed.D. in educational leadership and administration, UNCW has a variety of academic programs designed to meet the diverse needs, abilities and interests of all students.

The College of Arts and Sciences offers a variety of programs in the liberal arts leading to the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts in creative writing, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Social Work, Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts in creative writing, Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in marine science degrees. To implement these programs, the college provides instruction, research and creative opportunities in the fine arts and humanities as well as in the natural, physical and social sciences within 25 academic departments and programs. In addition, interdepartmental programs are offered in 15 different areas. Pre-professional programs in allied health, health-related careers, dentistry, law, medicine, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, podiatry and veterinary medicine, and a 2+2 and 3+2 program in engineering are also offered in the college. 

Business education at the Cameron School of Business is focused on the technical, analytical and interpersonal skills students will need to lead this fundamental change in the business world through the first half of the 21st century. The school is fully accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, a recognition that places it in the top 30 percent of business education programs in the United States.

As one of only three UNC institutions producing more than 300 teachers each year, the UNCW Watson School of Education is doing its part to address the teacher shortage in North Carolina. Through its Professional Development System faculty work closely with more than 100 area schools and 1,300 public school teachers. The recipient of three national awards for partnerships, the Watson School of Education founded the first community college, business, university and K-12 partnership in the state.

The School of Nursing, fully accredited by the National League for Nursing and approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing, offers an undergraduate program that prepares students to practice family-centered professional nursing in a variety of current and emerging health care delivery systems, as well as a master's degree program for rural and urban family nurse practitioners.

The Center for Marine Science at Myrtle Grove Sound fosters a multidisciplinary approach to questions in basic marine research. The mission of the center is to promote basic and applied research in the fields of oceanography, coastal and wetland studies, marine biomedical and environmental physiology and marine biotechnology and aquaculture.

The Seahawks field 19 varsity athletic teams for men and women. UNCW student-athletes have consistently posted one of the highest GPAs in the UNC system. Academically, the Seahawks continued to excel in the classroom. The men’s basketball team received a Public Recognition Award from the NCAA Division I Performance Program, one of just two programs from UNC system schools to be recognized with the honor.