University of North Carolina Wilmington

Wilmington, NC · Public · Doctoral / R2 research university

SAT middle 50% (admitted students)

1230–1340

Median ~1290

Acceptance rate

64%

Enrollment

14,922

ACT middle 50%

24–29

How UNCW compares

The ~1290 SAT midpoint ranks #81 of 197 US colleges with published SAT ranges in this snapshot and #4 of 10 in NC.
Its 64% acceptance rate is more selective than 54% of the 197 colleges in the same ranked pool.
Reported section midpoints skew 10 points toward Reading and Writing (630 Math vs 640 Reading and Writing).
Median earnings 10 years after entry ($54,967) are $8,099 below the $63,066 median across that pool.
Out-of-state students pay $16,875 more per year than in-state students ($24,152 vs $7,277).

National SAT rank

#81 of 197

SAT rank in NC

#4 of 10

More selective than

54% of ranked colleges

Earnings vs national median

−$8,099

What the numbers say about UNCW

The reported middle 50% spans 110 points, from 1230 to 1340. A planning score near or above 1380 gives you a target above that historical range, not an admission guarantee.
The reported section midpoints are 640 Reading and Writing and 630 Math. Use the lower section as the first place to look for recoverable points in your own score split.
The Scorecard snapshot reports a 64% acceptance rate. That rate describes a past applicant pool and should not be read as your personal admission probability.
Reported outcomes include a 71% completion rate and $54,967 in median earnings 10 years after entry. Compare those figures with cost and program fit, not in isolation.

Understand a 1290 SAT score Plan for a 1400 Verify current admissions policy

Tuition and outcomes

Tuition (in-state)

$7,277

Tuition (out-of-state)

$24,152

Median earnings 10 years after entry

$54,967

4-year completion rate (150% time)

71%

Source: US Department of Education College Scorecard. Documentation version September 2025; repository snapshot imported April 25, 2026. Scorecard fields can come from different reporting years, and this snapshot does not encode one universal data year. SAT totals are rounded to the nearest valid 10 points. Tuition excludes room, board, fees, and books. Read the methodology.

How your SAT score lines up

The Scorecard snapshot places the middle 50% of reported scores between 1230 and 1340. This is descriptive data, not an admission threshold or probability estimate.

1380 SAT planning target: Above the reported middle-50% range.
1340 SAT (reported 75th percentile): At the upper end of the reported middle-50% range.
1290 SAT (median): Within the upper half of the reported range.
1230 SAT (reported 25th percentile): Within the lower half of the reported range.

At or above 1340

Strong relative score

At the upper end of the reported range. Consider submitting if the current policy accepts scores.

1230–1330

Within the reported range

Compare your exact position, section split, and the rest of your academic record.

Below 1230

Below the reported range

Check the current testing policy before deciding whether to withhold the score or retake.

Compare to other colleges →

Colleges with similar SAT scores

Ranked by proximity to UNCW's reported SAT midpoint. Similar scores do not imply similar programs, cost, or admission odds.

Scroll horizontally to view all columns →

College	Location	SAT middle 50%	Acceptance rate
The University of Texas at Dallas	Richardson, TX	1160–1410	65%
Loyola University Maryland	Baltimore, MD	1200–1370	75%
The University of Alabama	Tuscaloosa, AL	1170–1400	77%
University of Delaware	Newark, DE	1190–1370	71%
Western Washington University	Bellingham, WA	1150–1390	93%
University of Massachusetts-Lowell	Lowell, MA	1180–1370	83%

FAQs

What SAT score do I need for UNCW?

University of North Carolina Wilmington's Scorecard snapshot shows a middle-50% SAT range of 1230–1340, rounded to valid 10-point totals. 1380 is a planning target above the reported range, not an admission cutoff.

What is UNCW's acceptance rate?

University of North Carolina Wilmington's most recently reported acceptance rate is approximately 64%.

How much does it cost to attend UNCW?

In-state tuition is approximately $7,277 and out-of-state is approximately $24,152. These figures exclude room, board, and fees.

Is UNCW test-optional?

Many US universities adjusted test policies after 2020. Check University of North Carolina Wilmington's admissions page for current test-optional, test-required, or test-flexible policy.

Official site: www.uncw.edu