UNCSA vs. Roanoke College

Comparable Facts

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

Roanoke College is larger than UNCSA based on total student enrollment (1,804 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); Roanoke College is in Salem, VA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• University of North Carolina School of the Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Roanoke College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 6:1; Roanoke College 11:1.

UNCSA vs. Roanoke College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCSA or Roanoke College? 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 Roanoke College ($13,140 vs. $26,044).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina School of the Arts are 12% lower than at Roanoke College ($13,517 vs. $15,366).
• Roanoke College is 301.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCSA (about $28,591 more per year; $38,068.00 vs. $9,477.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 39.9% higher at Roanoke College than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (about $10,857 more per year; $38,068.00 vs. $27,211.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Roanoke College than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (100% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Roanoke College students is 118.9% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina School of the Arts students ($28,188 vs. $12,876).

UNCSA vs. Roanoke College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (1260) is 60 points higher than at Roanoke College (1200).
• Incoming Roanoke College 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; Roanoke College 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 22/29; Roanoke College 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCSA - Test optional; Roanoke College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCSA Mar 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNCSA students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Roanoke College (3.56).
• Roanoke College has a higher acceptance rate (83.1%) than UNCSA (30%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.5% at UNCSA vs. 9.7% at Roanoke College.

UNCSA vs. Roanoke College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCSA and Roanoke College? 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).

• Roanoke College's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than University of North Carolina School of the Arts's (58%).
• Graduates from Roanoke College earn a median of about $12,100 more per year than UNCSA graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,200 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Roanoke College and UNCSA graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Roanoke College and UNCSA graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Roanoke College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCSA students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.