Overview
Enrollment
Best Colleges Rank
| Location | Asheville, North Carolina |
| Online | unca.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Small City |
| Size | Small |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
The University of North Carolina at Asheville is located in the Blue Ridge Mountain city of Asheville, situated in western North Carolina approximately 120 miles west of Charlotte. As North Carolina's designated public liberal arts institution, UNC Asheville occupies a 365-acre campus featuring contemporary academic buildings and residential facilities nestled against a mountainous backdrop. The university, founded in 1927 as Buncombe County Junior College, became part of the University of North Carolina system in 1969 and exclusively offers undergraduate programs with an emphasis on interdisciplinary studies and undergraduate research. Notable academic strengths include environmental studies, atmospheric sciences, and humanities, with the atmospheric sciences program housing one of the few undergraduate meteorology programs in the Southeast. The campus provides traditional dormitory and apartment-style housing for students, with a significant portion of first-year students residing on campus.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
University of North Carolina at Asheville is rated within the top 43% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 6 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for University of North Carolina at Asheville within the 2024 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#444 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#130 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#10 in Best Colleges in North Carolina
#5 in Best Public Colleges in North Carolina
#462 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#10 in Best Value Colleges in North Carolina
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1145/1340 |
| ACT | 21/28 |
| GPA | 3.49 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Aug 1, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Low |
| Application Fee | $75 |
Annual Cost to Attend
North Carolina Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,200 |
| Other Fees | $3,258 |
| Room and Board | $10,556 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,464 |
| Total One Year Cost | $21,600 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,200 |
| Other Fees | $3,258 |
| Room and Board | $10,556 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,464 |
| Total One Year Cost | $38,948 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Psychology | 12% |
| Social Sciences | 11% |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 11% |
| Business | 8% |
| English and Literature | 8% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering University of North Carolina at Asheville are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=199111 IPEDS survey data for University of North Carolina at Asheville.
Current students may use the University of North Carolina at Asheville GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2024