UNCSA vs. UofSC

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Carolina Columbia is larger than UNCSA based on total student enrollment (38,532 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 South Carolina Columbia is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• University of North Carolina School of the Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 6:1; University of South Carolina Columbia 19:1.

UNCSA vs. UofSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCSA or UofSC? 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 UofSC ($13,140 vs. $24,488).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina School of the Arts are 0.1% lower than at University of South Carolina Columbia ($13,517 vs. $13,534).
• University of South Carolina Columbia is 33.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCSA (about $3,211 more per year; $12,688.00 vs. $9,477.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.2% higher at UofSC than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (about $8,761 more per year; $35,972.00 vs. $27,211.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Columbia than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (91% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina School of the Arts students is 80.4% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students ($12,876 vs. $7,139).

UNCSA vs. UofSC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Columbia (1270) is 10 points higher than at UNCSA (1260).
• Incoming UofSC 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; University of South Carolina Columbia 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 22/29; University of South Carolina Columbia 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCSA - Test optional; UofSC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCSA Mar 15, 2027; UofSC Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UNCSA students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at UofSC (3.69).
• UofSC has a higher acceptance rate (60.2%) than UNCSA (30%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.5% at UNCSA vs. 22.9% at UofSC.

UNCSA vs. UofSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCSA and UofSC? 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 South Carolina Columbia's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than University of North Carolina School of the Arts's (58%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of about $12,600 more per year than UNCSA graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,700 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Columbia graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than UNCSA graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UofSC graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCSA graduates ($240 vs. $279).
• More UofSC 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.