UNCSA vs. Virginia Tech

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia Tech is larger than UNCSA based on total student enrollment (38,857 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 Tech is in Blacksburg, VA (Small City setting).
• University of North Carolina School of the Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Tech is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 6:1; Virginia Tech 17:1.

UNCSA vs. Virginia Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCSA or Virginia Tech? 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 Virginia Tech ($13,140 vs. $24,912).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina School of the Arts are 18.3% lower than at Virginia Tech ($13,517 vs. $16,550).
• Virginia Tech is 68.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCSA (about $6,471 more per year; $15,948.00 vs. $9,477.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.8% higher at Virginia Tech than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (about $10,553 more per year; $37,764.00 vs. $27,211.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Carolina School of the Arts than at Virginia Tech (62% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina School of the Arts students is 40.4% larger than aid received by Virginia Tech students ($12,876 vs. $9,168).

UNCSA vs. Virginia Tech Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Tech (1370) is 110 points higher than at UNCSA (1260).
• Incoming Virginia Tech students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 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 Tech 1280/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 22/29; Virginia Tech 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCSA - Test optional; Virginia Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCSA Mar 15, 2027; Virginia Tech Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Virginia Tech students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at UNCSA (3.75).
• Virginia Tech has a higher acceptance rate (54.8%) than UNCSA (30%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.5% at UNCSA vs. 25.3% at Virginia Tech.

UNCSA vs. Virginia Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCSA and Virginia Tech? 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 Tech's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than University of North Carolina School of the Arts's (58%).
• Graduates from Virginia Tech earn a median of about $25,900 more per year than UNCSA graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,000 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Tech graduates have a $3,034 lower median loan debt than UNCSA graduates ($23,966 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Virginia Tech graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCSA graduates ($247 vs. $279).
• More Virginia Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCSA students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.