UNCSA vs. Wake Forest

Comparable Facts

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

Wake Forest University is larger than UNCSA based on total student enrollment (9,322 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); Wake Forest University is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• University of North Carolina School of the Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 6:1; Wake Forest University 10:1.

UNCSA vs. Wake Forest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCSA or Wake Forest? 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 Wake Forest ($13,140 vs. $24,401).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina School of the Arts are 26.9% lower than at Wake Forest University ($13,517 vs. $18,494).
• Wake Forest University is 613.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCSA (about $58,165 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $9,477.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 148.6% higher at Wake Forest than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (about $40,431 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $27,211.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Carolina School of the Arts than at Wake Forest University (62% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 390.2% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina School of the Arts students ($63,117 vs. $12,876).

UNCSA vs. Wake Forest Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wake Forest University (1470) is 210 points higher than at UNCSA (1260).
• Incoming Wake Forest 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; Wake Forest University 1410/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 22/29; Wake Forest University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCSA - Test optional; Wake Forest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCSA Mar 15, 2027; Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027.
• UNCSA has a higher acceptance rate (30%) than Wake Forest (21.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.5% at UNCSA vs. 36.1% at Wake Forest.

UNCSA vs. Wake Forest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCSA and Wake Forest? 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).

• Wake Forest University's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than University of North Carolina School of the Arts's (58%).
• Graduates from Wake Forest University 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, Wake Forest University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than UNCSA graduates ($23,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Wake Forest graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCSA graduates ($237 vs. $279).
• More Wake Forest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCSA students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.