AU vs. UNCSA

Comparable Facts

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

American University is larger than UNCSA based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 1,111 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); University of North Carolina School of the Arts is in Winston Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina School of the Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; University of North Carolina School of the Arts 6:1.

AU vs. UNCSA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or UNCSA? 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 AU ($13,140 vs. $39,676).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina School of the Arts are 24.8% lower than at American University ($13,517 vs. $17,982).
• American University is 520.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCSA (about $49,294 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $9,477.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 116% higher at AU than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (about $31,560 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $27,211.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at American University than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (67% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by American University students is 182.3% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina School of the Arts students ($36,349 vs. $12,876).

AU vs. UNCSA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or UNCSA? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UNCSA and AU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at American University (1370) is 110 points higher than at UNCSA (1260).
• Incoming AU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (30 vs. 25 at UNCSA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: American University 1280/1460; University of North Carolina School of the Arts 1140/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: American University 29/32; University of North Carolina School of the Arts 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; UNCSA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027; UNCSA Mar 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UNCSA students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at AU (3.7).
• AU has a higher acceptance rate (62%) than UNCSA (30%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 55.5% at UNCSA.

AU vs. UNCSA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and UNCSA? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• American University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than University of North Carolina School of the Arts's (58%).
• Graduates from American University earn a median of about $25,700 more per year than UNCSA graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, American University graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than UNCSA graduates ($24,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, AU graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCSA graduates ($250 vs. $279).
• More AU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCSA students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.