ASU vs. UNCSA

Comparable Facts

Compare Appalachian State University in Boone, NC with University of North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston Salem, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Appalachian State University is larger than UNCSA based on total student enrollment (21,570 students vs. 1,111 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Appalachian State University is located in Boone, NC (Distant Town setting); University of North Carolina School of the Arts is in Winston Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Appalachian State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina School of the Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Appalachian State University 16:1; University of North Carolina School of the Arts 6:1.

ASU vs. UNCSA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ASU or UNCSA? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of North Carolina School of the Arts than ASU ($13,140 vs. $14,978).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Appalachian State University are 4.8% lower than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts ($12,868 vs. $13,517).
• University of North Carolina School of the Arts is 25% more expensive for in-state tuition than ASU (about $1,898 more per year; $9,477.00 vs. $7,579.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.9% higher at UNCSA than at Appalachian State University (about $1,999 more per year; $27,211.00 vs. $25,212.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Carolina School of the Arts than at Appalachian State University (62% vs. 46%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina School of the Arts students is 60.7% larger than aid received by Appalachian State University students ($12,876 vs. $8,014).

ASU vs. UNCSA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ASU or UNCSA? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UNCSA and ASU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (1260) is 60 points higher than at ASU (1200).
• Incoming UNCSA students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at ASU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 1120/1280; University of North Carolina School of the Arts 1140/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 21/27; University of North Carolina School of the Arts 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ASU - Test optional; UNCSA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ASU Feb 1, 2027; UNCSA Mar 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ASU students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at UNCSA (3.75).
• ASU has a higher acceptance rate (90.1%) than UNCSA (30%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at ASU vs. 55.5% at UNCSA.

ASU vs. UNCSA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ASU and UNCSA? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Appalachian State University's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than University of North Carolina School of the Arts's (58%).
• Graduates from Appalachian State University earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than UNCSA graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,600 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Appalachian State University graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than UNCSA graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ASU graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCSA graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More ASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCSA students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 56%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.