UNCSA vs. Sewanee

Comparable Facts

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

The University of the South is larger than UNCSA based on total student enrollment (1,724 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); The University of the South is in Sewanee, TN (Distant Rural setting).
• University of North Carolina School of the Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of the South is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 6:1; The University of the South 9:1.

UNCSA vs. Sewanee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCSA or Sewanee? 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 Sewanee ($13,140 vs. $34,815).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina School of the Arts are 15.7% lower than at The University of the South ($13,517 vs. $16,028).
• The University of the South is 492.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCSA (about $46,643 more per year; $56,120.00 vs. $9,477.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 106.2% higher at Sewanee than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (about $28,909 more per year; $56,120.00 vs. $27,211.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of the South than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (98% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of the South students is 188.7% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina School of the Arts students ($37,171 vs. $12,876).

UNCSA vs. Sewanee Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of the South (1330) is 70 points higher than at UNCSA (1260).
• Incoming Sewanee students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 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; The University of the South 1260/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 22/29; The University of the South 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCSA - Test optional; Sewanee - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCSA Mar 15, 2027; Sewanee Feb 1, 2027.
• Sewanee has a higher acceptance rate (56.9%) than UNCSA (30%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.5% at UNCSA vs. 17.9% at Sewanee.

UNCSA vs. Sewanee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCSA and Sewanee? 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).

• The University of the South's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than University of North Carolina School of the Arts's (58%).
• Graduates from The University of the South earn a median of about $10,700 more per year than UNCSA graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,800 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of the South graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than UNCSA graduates ($19,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Sewanee graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCSA graduates ($196 vs. $279).
• More Sewanee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCSA students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.