University of North Carolina Asheville vs. UNCSA

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina Asheville in Asheville, 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.

University of North Carolina Asheville is larger than UNCSA based on total student enrollment (3,056 students vs. 1,111 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina Asheville is located in Asheville, NC (Small City setting); University of North Carolina School of the Arts is in Winston Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• University of North Carolina Asheville 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 North Carolina Asheville 13:1; University of North Carolina School of the Arts 6:1.

University of North Carolina Asheville vs. UNCSA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of North Carolina Asheville 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 University of North Carolina Asheville ($13,140 vs. $13,798).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina School of the Arts are 3.4% lower than at University of North Carolina Asheville ($13,517 vs. $13,992).
• University of North Carolina School of the Arts is 26.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of North Carolina Asheville (about $1,976 more per year; $9,477.00 vs. $7,501.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.5% higher at UNCSA than at University of North Carolina Asheville (about $2,362 more per year; $27,211.00 vs. $24,849.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Carolina Asheville than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (90% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina School of the Arts students is 67.6% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Asheville students ($12,876 vs. $7,683).

University of North Carolina Asheville vs. UNCSA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of North Carolina Asheville 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 University of North Carolina Asheville.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Asheville (1270) is 10 points higher than at UNCSA (1260).
• Incoming University of North Carolina Asheville students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at UNCSA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Asheville 1170/1360; University of North Carolina School of the Arts 1140/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Asheville 23/29; University of North Carolina School of the Arts 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of North Carolina Asheville - Test optional; UNCSA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of North Carolina Asheville Aug 1, 2027; UNCSA Mar 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNCSA students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at University of North Carolina Asheville (3.49).
• University of North Carolina Asheville has a higher acceptance rate (91.9%) than UNCSA (30%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.7% at University of North Carolina Asheville vs. 55.5% at UNCSA.

University of North Carolina Asheville vs. UNCSA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of North Carolina Asheville 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 North Carolina Asheville's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than University of North Carolina School of the Arts's (58%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina School of the Arts earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than University of North Carolina Asheville graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,100 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Asheville graduates have a $6,359 lower median loan debt than UNCSA graduates ($20,641 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, University of North Carolina Asheville graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCSA graduates ($213 vs. $279).
• More University of North Carolina Asheville graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCSA students, three years after graduation. (61% 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.