UNCSA vs. Penn State Greater Allegheny

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston Salem, NC with Penn State Greater Allegheny in McKeesport, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of North Carolina School of the Arts is larger than Penn State Greater Allegheny based on total student enrollment (1,111 students vs. 352 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); Penn State Greater Allegheny is in McKeesport, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of North Carolina School of the Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Greater Allegheny is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 6:1; Penn State Greater Allegheny 9:1.

UNCSA vs. Penn State Greater Allegheny Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCSA or Penn State Greater Allegheny? 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 Penn State Greater Allegheny ($13,140 vs. $15,574).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina School of the Arts are 6.6% lower than at Penn State Greater Allegheny ($13,517 vs. $14,474).
• Penn State Greater Allegheny is 52% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCSA (about $4,931 more per year; $14,408.00 vs. $9,477.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.7% higher at UNCSA than at Penn State Greater Allegheny (about $3,077 more per year; $27,211.00 vs. $24,134.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Greater Allegheny than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (86% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina School of the Arts students is 15.8% larger than aid received by Penn State Greater Allegheny students ($12,876 vs. $11,121).

UNCSA vs. Penn State Greater Allegheny Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNCSA or Penn State Greater Allegheny? 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 Penn State Greater Allegheny and UNCSA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (1260) is 80 points higher than at Penn State Greater Allegheny (1180).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 1140/1370; Penn State Greater Allegheny 1080/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCSA - Test optional; Penn State Greater Allegheny - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCSA Mar 15, 2027.
• Penn State Greater Allegheny has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than UNCSA (30%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.5% at UNCSA vs. 19.5% at Penn State Greater Allegheny.

UNCSA vs. Penn State Greater Allegheny Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCSA and Penn State Greater Allegheny? 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 Penn State Greater Allegheny's (47%).
• Graduates from Penn State Greater Allegheny earn a median of about $16,200 more per year than UNCSA graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Greater Allegheny graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than UNCSA graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Greater Allegheny graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCSA graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Penn State Greater Allegheny graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCSA students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.