Elon vs. UNCSA

Comparable Facts

Compare Elon University in Elon, 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.

Elon University is larger than UNCSA based on total student enrollment (7,239 students vs. 1,111 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elon University is located in Elon, NC (Small Suburban setting); University of North Carolina School of the Arts is in Winston Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Elon University is a private, 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: Elon University 11:1; University of North Carolina School of the Arts 6:1.

Elon vs. UNCSA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elon 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 Elon ($13,140 vs. $44,440).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina School of the Arts are 9.8% lower than at Elon University ($13,517 vs. $14,985).
• Elon University is 395.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCSA (about $37,481 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $9,477.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 72.6% higher at Elon than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (about $19,747 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $27,211.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Elon University than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (77% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Elon University students is 38.8% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina School of the Arts students ($17,867 vs. $12,876).

Elon vs. UNCSA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Elon 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 Elon.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (1260) is 50 points higher than at Elon (1210).
• Incoming Elon students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at UNCSA (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 1130/1280; University of North Carolina School of the Arts 1140/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 23/28; University of North Carolina School of the Arts 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elon - Test optional; UNCSA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Elon Jan 10, 2027; UNCSA Mar 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNCSA students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Elon (3.65).
• Elon has a higher acceptance rate (66.3%) than UNCSA (30%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at Elon vs. 55.5% at UNCSA.

Elon vs. UNCSA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Elon 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).

• Elon University's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than University of North Carolina School of the Arts's (58%).
• Graduates from Elon University earn a median of about $17,100 more per year than UNCSA graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Elon University graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than UNCSA graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Elon graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCSA graduates ($240 vs. $279).
• More Elon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCSA students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.