UNCSA vs. Tennessee

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Tennessee Knoxville is larger than UNCSA based on total student enrollment (38,728 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 Tennessee Knoxville is in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting).
• University of North Carolina School of the Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Knoxville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 6:1; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 18:1.

UNCSA vs. Tennessee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCSA or Tennessee? 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 Tennessee ($13,140 vs. $21,648).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville are 1.2% lower than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts ($13,356 vs. $13,517).
• The University of Tennessee Knoxville is 45.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCSA (about $4,335 more per year; $13,812.00 vs. $9,477.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.2% higher at Tennessee than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (about $6,045 more per year; $33,256.00 vs. $27,211.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Knoxville than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (94% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina School of the Arts students is 12.6% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students ($12,876 vs. $11,434).

UNCSA vs. Tennessee Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (1290) is 30 points higher than at UNCSA (1260).
• Incoming Tennessee students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 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 Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370.
• 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 Tennessee Knoxville 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCSA - Test optional; Tennessee - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCSA Mar 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNCSA students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Tennessee (3.66).
• Tennessee has a higher acceptance rate (41.6%) than UNCSA (30%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.5% at UNCSA vs. 27.4% at Tennessee.

UNCSA vs. Tennessee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCSA and Tennessee? 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 Tennessee Knoxville's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than University of North Carolina School of the Arts's (58%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Knoxville earn a median of about $17,200 more per year than UNCSA graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Knoxville graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than UNCSA graduates ($20,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCSA graduates ($206 vs. $279).
• More Tennessee 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.