UNCSA vs. UVA

Comparable Facts

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

University of Virginia Main Campus is larger than UNCSA based on total student enrollment (26,409 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 Virginia Main Campus is in Charlottesville, VA (Small City setting).
• University of North Carolina School of the Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Virginia 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 Virginia Main Campus 15:1.

UNCSA vs. UVA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCSA or UVA? 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 UVA ($13,140 vs. $18,427).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina School of the Arts are 8.7% lower than at University of Virginia Main Campus ($13,517 vs. $14,800).
• University of Virginia Main Campus is 130.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCSA (about $12,326 more per year; $21,803.00 vs. $9,477.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 118.7% higher at UVA than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (about $32,301 more per year; $59,512.00 vs. $27,211.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Carolina School of the Arts than at University of Virginia Main Campus (62% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Virginia Main Campus students is 123% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina School of the Arts students ($28,715 vs. $12,876).

UNCSA vs. UVA Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Virginia Main Campus (1480) is 220 points higher than at UNCSA (1260).
• Incoming UVA students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 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 Virginia Main Campus 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 22/29; University of Virginia Main Campus 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCSA - Test optional; UVA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCSA Mar 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UVA students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.85) than students at UNCSA (3.75).
• UNCSA has a higher acceptance rate (30%) than UVA (16.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.5% at UNCSA vs. 40% at UVA.

UNCSA vs. UVA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCSA and UVA? 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 Virginia Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than University of North Carolina School of the Arts's (58%).
• Graduates from University of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of about $38,100 more per year than UNCSA graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Virginia Main Campus graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than UNCSA graduates ($19,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UVA graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCSA graduates ($201 vs. $279).
• More UVA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCSA students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.