University of North Carolina at Asheville vs. AU

Should I go to University of North Carolina at Asheville or Anderson University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of North Carolina at Asheville or AU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

ASU UNC Chapel Hill UNC Charlotte UNCW WCU Clemson North Greenville University ECU UNCG NC State Auburn Elon
University of North Carolina at Asheville vs. Anderson University comparison
University of North Carolina at Asheville Anderson University College 3 College 4
University of North Carolina at Asheville Anderson University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

University of North Carolina at Asheville AU
Location Asheville, NC Anderson, SC
Setting Small City Small City
Enrollment 2,925 4,325
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #420 #759
Religious Affiliation - Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website unca.edu andersonuniversity.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of North Carolina at Asheville AU
Tuition (In State) $4,122 $32,710
Tuition (Out of State) $21,470 $32,710
Room & Board $11,018 $12,290
Avg Net Price $14,175 $22,222
Avg Grant Aid $6,856 $25,586
% Receiving Grant Aid 91% 99%

Admission

University of North Carolina at Asheville AU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,465 4,732
Admitted 5,131 2,499
Acceptance Rate 93.9% 52.8%
Enrolled % 12.3% 34%
Avg High School GPA 3.49 3.72
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Difficult Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 22/29 22/28
SAT Range 1170/1350 1090/1290
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2026

Academics

University of North Carolina at Asheville AU
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Psychology (12%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Business (8%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Education (37%)
  • Business (36%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Psychology (4%)
  • Communication (3%)

Outcomes

University of North Carolina at Asheville AU
Graduation Rate 61% 48%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,900 $37,500
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,641 $26,862
Median Loan Payment $213 $277

Diversity

University of North Carolina at Asheville AU
% Men 0% 9%
% Women 1% 12%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 80% 83%
% Black 4% 8%
% Hispanic 5% 3%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 4% 2%

Students

University of North Carolina at Asheville AU
% In-State 81% 68%
% Out-of-State 17% 31%

Campus

University of North Carolina at Asheville AU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Anderson University is larger than than University of North Carolina at Asheville based on total student enrollment (4,325 students vs. 2,925 students)

University of North Carolina at Asheville vs. AU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of North Carolina at Asheville or AU?

  • Anderson University is 693.5% more expensive to attend than University of North Carolina at Asheville for in-state tuition ($32,710.00 vs. $4,122.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 52.4% higher at AU than University of North Carolina at Asheville ($32,710.00 vs. $21,470.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of North Carolina at Asheville than AU ($14,175 vs. $22,222)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Asheville are 11.5% lower than costs at Anderson University ($11,018 vs. $12,290)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Anderson University than University of North Carolina at Asheville (99% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Anderson University students is 273.2% larger than aid received University of North Carolina at Asheville ($25,586 vs. $6,856)

University of North Carolina at Asheville vs. AU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of North Carolina at Asheville or AU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between AU or University of North Carolina at Asheville .

  • The average SAT score at University of North Carolina at Asheville (1159) is 81 points higher than at AU (1078)
  • Incoming University of North Carolina at Asheville students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at AU (24)
  • Accepted freshman AU students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at University of North Carolina at Asheville (3.49)
  • University of North Carolina at Asheville has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than AU (52.8%)

University of North Carolina at Asheville vs. AU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of North Carolina at Asheville or AU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between AU and University of North Carolina at Asheville.

  • The graduation rate at University of North Carolina at Asheville is higher than Anderson University (61% vs. 48%)
  • Graduates from University of North Carolina at Asheville earn on average $400 more per year than AU graduates after ten years. ($37,900 vs. $37,500)
  • University of North Carolina at Asheville students graduate with a $6,221 lower median federal student loan debt than AU graduates. ($20,641 vs. $26,862)
  • University of North Carolina at Asheville graduates are paying $64 less per month on federal student loans than AU graduates. ($213 vs. $277)
  • More University of North Carolina at Asheville graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 60%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/