UNCSA vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

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

Western Carolina University is larger than UNCSA based on total student enrollment (11,686 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); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
• University of North Carolina School of the Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 6:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

UNCSA vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCSA or WCU? 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 WCU ($13,140 vs. $13,767).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 8.6% lower than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts ($12,354 vs. $13,517).
• University of North Carolina School of the Arts is 104.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $4,847 more per year; $9,477.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 215.3% higher at UNCSA than at Western Carolina University (about $18,581 more per year; $27,211.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Carolina University than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (81% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina School of the Arts students is 114.9% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($12,876 vs. $5,993).

UNCSA vs. WCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (1260) is 80 points higher than at WCU (1180).
• Incoming UNCSA students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at WCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 1140/1370; Western Carolina University 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 22/29; Western Carolina University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCSA - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCSA Mar 15, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNCSA students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at WCU (3.44).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (81.8%) than UNCSA (30%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.5% at UNCSA vs. 12.7% at WCU.

UNCSA vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCSA and WCU? 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 Western Carolina University's (50%).
• Graduates of University of North Carolina School of the Arts and WCU have equivalent median earnings about ten years after starting college ($39,100 vs. $39,100), per the federal College Scorecard cohort (typically among students working and not enrolled).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $4,990 lower median loan debt than UNCSA graduates ($22,010 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCSA graduates ($227 vs. $279).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCSA students, three years after graduation. (58% 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.