UNCSA vs. UC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston Salem, NC with University of Cincinnati Main Campus in Cincinnati, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Cincinnati Main Campus is larger than UNCSA based on total student enrollment (45,026 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); University of Cincinnati Main Campus is in Cincinnati, OH (Large City setting).
• University of North Carolina School of the Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 6:1; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 19:1.

UNCSA vs. UC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCSA or UC? 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 UC ($13,140 vs. $24,696).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina School of the Arts are 0.3% lower than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus ($13,517 vs. $13,564).
• University of Cincinnati Main Campus is 47.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCSA (about $4,499 more per year; $13,976.00 vs. $9,477.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.7% higher at UC than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (about $2,099 more per year; $29,310.00 vs. $27,211.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Cincinnati Main Campus than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (73% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina School of the Arts students is 57.1% larger than aid received by University of Cincinnati Main Campus students ($12,876 vs. $8,196).

UNCSA vs. UC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (1270) is 10 points higher than at UNCSA (1260).
• Incoming UC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 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; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 1160/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 22/29; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCSA - Test optional; UC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCSA Mar 15, 2027; UC Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNCSA students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at UC (3.69).
• UC has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than UNCSA (30%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.5% at UNCSA vs. 22.5% at UC.

UNCSA vs. UC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCSA and UC? 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 Cincinnati Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than University of North Carolina School of the Arts's (58%).
• Graduates from University of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of about $6,500 more per year than UNCSA graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,600 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than UNCSA graduates ($23,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UC graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCSA graduates ($237 vs. $279).
• More UC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCSA students, three years after graduation. (57% 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.