UNCSA vs. VMI

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia Military Institute is larger than UNCSA based on total student enrollment (1,527 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); Virginia Military Institute is in Lexington, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• University of North Carolina School of the Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Military Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 6:1; Virginia Military Institute 9:1.

UNCSA vs. VMI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCSA or VMI? 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 VMI ($13,140 vs. $18,825).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Military Institute are 16.3% lower than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts ($11,310 vs. $13,517).
• Virginia Military Institute is 122.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCSA (about $11,569 more per year; $21,046.00 vs. $9,477.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 93.4% higher at VMI than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (about $25,427 more per year; $52,638.00 vs. $27,211.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Military Institute than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (81% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Military Institute students is 85% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina School of the Arts students ($23,821 vs. $12,876).

UNCSA vs. VMI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (1260) is 100 points higher than at VMI (1160).
• Incoming VMI students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 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; Virginia Military Institute 1050/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 22/29; Virginia Military Institute 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCSA - Test optional; VMI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCSA Mar 15, 2027; VMI Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNCSA students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at VMI (3.65).
• VMI has a higher acceptance rate (71.2%) than UNCSA (30%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.5% at UNCSA vs. 31.7% at VMI.

UNCSA vs. VMI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCSA and VMI? 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).

• Virginia Military Institute's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than University of North Carolina School of the Arts's (58%).
• Graduates from Virginia Military Institute earn a median of about $23,000 more per year than UNCSA graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Military Institute graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than UNCSA graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, VMI graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCSA graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More VMI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCSA students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.