UNCSA vs. UNCW

Comparable Facts

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

University of North Carolina Wilmington is larger than UNCSA based on total student enrollment (18,848 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 North Carolina Wilmington is in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting).
• University of North Carolina School of the Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 6:1; University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1.

UNCSA vs. UNCW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCSA or UNCW? 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 UNCW ($13,140 vs. $18,976).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina School of the Arts are 5.3% lower than at University of North Carolina Wilmington ($13,517 vs. $14,268).
• University of North Carolina School of the Arts is 30.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $2,200 more per year; $9,477.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.7% higher at UNCSA than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (about $3,059 more per year; $27,211.00 vs. $24,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Carolina School of the Arts than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (62% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina School of the Arts students is 92.9% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($12,876 vs. $6,674).

UNCSA vs. UNCW Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Wilmington (1290) is 30 points higher than at UNCSA (1260).
• Incoming UNCW 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 North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 22/29; University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCSA - Test optional; UNCW - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCSA Mar 15, 2027; UNCW Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNCSA students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at UNCW (3.56).
• UNCW has a higher acceptance rate (64.2%) than UNCSA (30%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.5% at UNCSA vs. 21% at UNCW.

UNCSA vs. UNCW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCSA and UNCW? 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 Wilmington's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than University of North Carolina School of the Arts's (58%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina Wilmington earn a median of about $5,600 more per year than UNCSA graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,700 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than UNCSA graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UNCW graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCSA graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More UNCW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCSA students, three years after graduation. (64% 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.