UNC Chapel Hill vs. UNCSA

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, 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 at Chapel Hill is larger than UNCSA based on total student enrollment (32,438 students vs. 1,111 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is located in Chapel Hill, NC (Small City setting); University of North Carolina School of the Arts is in Winston Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 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 at Chapel Hill 15:1; University of North Carolina School of the Arts 6:1.

UNC Chapel Hill vs. UNCSA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNC Chapel Hill 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 at Chapel Hill than UNCSA ($10,154 vs. $13,140).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina School of the Arts are 2.1% lower than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ($13,517 vs. $13,804).
• University of North Carolina School of the Arts is 5.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Chapel Hill (about $483 more per year; $9,477.00 vs. $8,994.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 51.4% higher at UNC Chapel Hill than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (about $13,992 more per year; $41,203.00 vs. $27,211.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Carolina School of the Arts than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (62% vs. 38%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students is 38.4% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina School of the Arts students ($17,814 vs. $12,876).

UNC Chapel Hill vs. UNCSA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNC Chapel Hill 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 UNC Chapel Hill.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1460) is 200 points higher than at UNCSA (1260).
• Incoming UNC Chapel Hill students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 25 at UNCSA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 1390/1530; 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 at Chapel Hill 28/34; University of North Carolina School of the Arts 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNC Chapel Hill - Test optional; UNCSA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNC Chapel Hill Jan 15, 2027; UNCSA Mar 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNC Chapel Hill students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at UNCSA (3.75).
• UNCSA has a higher acceptance rate (30%) than UNC Chapel Hill (15.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.5% at UNC Chapel Hill vs. 55.5% at UNCSA.

UNC Chapel Hill vs. UNCSA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNC Chapel Hill 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 at Chapel Hill's six-year graduation rate (89%) is higher than University of North Carolina School of the Arts's (58%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill earn a median of about $27,000 more per year than UNCSA graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,100 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates have a $10,521 lower median loan debt than UNCSA graduates ($16,479 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UNC Chapel Hill graduates have an estimated $109 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCSA graduates ($170 vs. $279).
• More UNC Chapel Hill graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCSA students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.