Kentucky vs. UNCSA

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY 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.

University of Kentucky is larger than UNCSA based on total student enrollment (34,709 students vs. 1,111 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Kentucky is located in Lexington, KY (Large City setting); University of North Carolina School of the Arts is in Winston Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• University of Kentucky 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: University of Kentucky 18:1; University of North Carolina School of the Arts 6:1.

Kentucky vs. UNCSA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kentucky 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 Kentucky ($13,140 vs. $21,958).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina School of the Arts are 15.6% lower than at University of Kentucky ($13,517 vs. $16,016).
• University of Kentucky is 42.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCSA (about $4,025 more per year; $13,502.00 vs. $9,477.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.5% higher at Kentucky than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (about $6,929 more per year; $34,140.00 vs. $27,211.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Kentucky than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (95% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Kentucky students is 0.2% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina School of the Arts students ($12,898 vs. $12,876).

Kentucky vs. UNCSA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Kentucky 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 Kentucky.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (1260) is 80 points higher than at Kentucky (1180).
• Incoming UNCSA students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at Kentucky).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Kentucky 1070/1290; University of North Carolina School of the Arts 1140/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Kentucky 21/28; University of North Carolina School of the Arts 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Kentucky - Test optional; UNCSA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kentucky Feb 15, 2027; UNCSA Mar 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNCSA students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Kentucky (3.59).
• Kentucky has a higher acceptance rate (92.9%) than UNCSA (30%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at Kentucky vs. 55.5% at UNCSA.

Kentucky vs. UNCSA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Kentucky 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).

• University of Kentucky's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than University of North Carolina School of the Arts's (58%).
• Graduates from University of Kentucky earn a median of about $11,900 more per year than UNCSA graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Kentucky graduates have a $4,250 lower median loan debt than UNCSA graduates ($22,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Kentucky graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCSA graduates ($235 vs. $279).
• More Kentucky graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCSA students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.