Overview
Enrollment
Best Colleges Rank
| Location | Winston-Salem, North Carolina |
| Online | uncsa.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Midsize City |
| Size | Small |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
The University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA), located in Winston-Salem's historic Ardmore district, is the state's dedicated public arts conservatory and a member of the UNC system. Established in 1963 as the nation's first public arts conservatory, UNCSA operates both a residential high school and undergraduate/graduate programs across five distinct arts schools: Dance, Design & Production, Drama, Filmmaking, and Music. The campus features purpose-built facilities including performance venues, specialized studios, and technical workshops, with dedicated residence halls for both college and high school students. UNCSA maintains selective admission processes based primarily on artistic merit, requiring auditions or portfolio reviews for entry into all programs. The conservatory structure provides intensive, professionally-focused training in performing and visual arts disciplines while also incorporating standard academic coursework into the curriculum.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
UNCSA is rated within the top 36% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 7 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for University of North Carolina School of the Arts within the 2024 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#291 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#75 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#7 in Best Colleges in North Carolina
#3 in Best Public Colleges in North Carolina
#179 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#5 in Best Value Colleges in North Carolina
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1115/1350 |
| ACT | 22/30 |
| GPA | 3.75 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Mar 15, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | High |
| Application Fee | $95 |
Annual Cost to Attend
North Carolina Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,385 |
| Other Fees | $2,891 |
| Room and Board | $12,902 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,610 |
| Total One Year Cost | $26,285 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,385 |
| Other Fees | $2,891 |
| Room and Board | $12,902 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,610 |
| Total One Year Cost | $43,519 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Visual and Performing Arts | 100% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering UNCSA are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=199184 IPEDS survey data for University of North Carolina School of the Arts.
Current students may use the University of North Carolina School of the Arts GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2024