UNC Charlotte vs. UNCSA

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina at Charlotte in Charlotte, 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 Charlotte is larger than UNCSA based on total student enrollment (31,091 students vs. 1,111 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina at Charlotte is located in Charlotte, NC (Large City setting); University of North Carolina School of the Arts is in Winston Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• University of North Carolina at Charlotte 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 Charlotte 21:1; University of North Carolina School of the Arts 6:1.

UNC Charlotte vs. UNCSA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNC Charlotte 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 UNC Charlotte ($13,140 vs. $15,045).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina School of the Arts are 6.5% lower than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte ($13,517 vs. $14,458).
• University of North Carolina School of the Arts is 30.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Charlotte (about $2,238 more per year; $9,477.00 vs. $7,239.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21% higher at UNCSA than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (about $4,719 more per year; $27,211.00 vs. $22,492.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Carolina School of the Arts than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (62% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina School of the Arts students is 61.6% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Charlotte students ($12,876 vs. $7,966).

UNC Charlotte vs. UNCSA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNC Charlotte 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 Charlotte.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (1260) is 20 points higher than at UNC Charlotte (1240).
• Incoming UNCSA students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at UNC Charlotte).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Charlotte 1140/1330; 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 Charlotte 21/28; University of North Carolina School of the Arts 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNC Charlotte - Test optional; UNCSA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNC Charlotte Jun 1, 2027; UNCSA Mar 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNCSA students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at UNC Charlotte (3.57).
• UNC Charlotte has a higher acceptance rate (79.6%) than UNCSA (30%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.5% at UNC Charlotte vs. 55.5% at UNCSA.

UNC Charlotte vs. UNCSA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNC Charlotte 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 School of the Arts's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than University of North Carolina at Charlotte's (53%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina at Charlotte earn a median of about $9,500 more per year than UNCSA graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Charlotte graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than UNCSA graduates ($23,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UNC Charlotte graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCSA graduates ($237 vs. $279).
• More UNC Charlotte 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.