UNCSA vs. CofC

Comparable Facts

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

College of Charleston is larger than UNCSA based on total student enrollment (11,926 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); College of Charleston is in Charleston, SC (Midsize City setting).
• University of North Carolina School of the Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Charleston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 6:1; College of Charleston 16:1.

UNCSA vs. CofC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCSA or CofC? 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 CofC ($13,140 vs. $21,004).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina School of the Arts are 5.7% lower than at College of Charleston ($13,517 vs. $14,332).
• College of Charleston is 36.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCSA (about $3,501 more per year; $12,978.00 vs. $9,477.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40.7% higher at CofC than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (about $11,085 more per year; $38,296.00 vs. $27,211.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Charleston than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (95% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina School of the Arts students is 43.3% larger than aid received by College of Charleston students ($12,876 vs. $8,983).

UNCSA vs. CofC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (1260) is 30 points higher than at CofC (1230).
• Incoming CofC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at UNCSA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 1140/1370; College of Charleston 1140/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 22/29; College of Charleston 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCSA - Test optional; CofC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCSA Mar 15, 2027; CofC Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CofC students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at UNCSA (3.75).
• CofC has a higher acceptance rate (60%) than UNCSA (30%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.5% at UNCSA vs. 11.9% at CofC.

UNCSA vs. CofC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCSA and CofC? 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).

• College of Charleston's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than University of North Carolina School of the Arts's (58%).
• Graduates from College of Charleston earn a median of about $7,100 more per year than UNCSA graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,200 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Charleston graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than UNCSA graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, CofC graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCSA graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More CofC 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.