UNCSA vs. VWC

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia Wesleyan University is larger than UNCSA based on total student enrollment (1,853 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 Wesleyan University is in Virginia Beach, VA (Large City setting).
• University of North Carolina School of the Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 6:1; Virginia Wesleyan University 15:1.

UNCSA vs. VWC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCSA or VWC? 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 VWC ($13,140 vs. $21,267).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Wesleyan University are 11.7% lower than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts ($11,930 vs. $13,517).
• Virginia Wesleyan University is 295.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCSA (about $28,023 more per year; $37,500.00 vs. $9,477.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.8% higher at VWC than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (about $10,289 more per year; $37,500.00 vs. $27,211.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Wesleyan University than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (100% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Wesleyan University students is 132.4% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina School of the Arts students ($29,923 vs. $12,876).

UNCSA vs. VWC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (1260) is 10 points higher than at VWC (1250).
• Incoming VWC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 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 Wesleyan University 1140/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 22/29; Virginia Wesleyan University 28/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCSA - Test optional; VWC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCSA Mar 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNCSA students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at VWC (3.39).
• VWC has a higher acceptance rate (72.9%) than UNCSA (30%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.5% at UNCSA vs. 11.9% at VWC.

UNCSA vs. VWC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCSA and VWC? 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 School of the Arts's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Virginia Wesleyan University's (48%).
• Graduates from Virginia Wesleyan University earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than UNCSA graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,700 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Wesleyan University and UNCSA graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Virginia Wesleyan University and UNCSA graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More VWC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCSA students, three years after graduation. (57% 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.