UNCSA vs. AU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston Salem, NC with Anderson University in Anderson, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Anderson University is larger than UNCSA based on total student enrollment (4,710 students vs. 1,111 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina School of the Arts is located in Winston Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Anderson University is in Anderson, SC (Small City setting).
• University of North Carolina School of the Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Anderson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 6:1; Anderson University 13:1.

UNCSA vs. AU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCSA or AU? 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 AU ($13,140 vs. $24,434).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Anderson University are 5.9% lower than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts ($12,720 vs. $13,517).
• Anderson University is 269% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCSA (about $25,493 more per year; $34,970.00 vs. $9,477.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.5% higher at AU than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (about $7,759 more per year; $34,970.00 vs. $27,211.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Anderson University than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (98% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Anderson University students is 101.7% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina School of the Arts students ($25,969 vs. $12,876).

UNCSA vs. AU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNCSA or AU? 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 AU and UNCSA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (1260) is 70 points higher than at AU (1190).
• Incoming UNCSA students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at AU (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 1140/1370; Anderson University 1100/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 22/29; Anderson University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCSA - Test optional; AU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCSA Mar 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNCSA students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at AU (3.72).
• AU has a higher acceptance rate (54.7%) than UNCSA (30%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.5% at UNCSA vs. 32.5% at AU.

UNCSA vs. AU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCSA and AU? 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 Anderson University's (48%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina School of the Arts earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than AU graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,100 vs. $37,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Anderson University graduates have a $138 lower median loan debt than UNCSA graduates ($26,862 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, AU graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCSA graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More AU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCSA students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.