UNCSA vs. Carnegie Mellon

Comparable Facts

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

Carnegie Mellon University is larger than UNCSA based on total student enrollment (15,888 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); Carnegie Mellon University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• University of North Carolina School of the Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 6:1; Carnegie Mellon University 5:1.

UNCSA vs. Carnegie Mellon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCSA or Carnegie Mellon? 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 Carnegie Mellon ($13,140 vs. $35,552).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina School of the Arts are 25.6% lower than at Carnegie Mellon University ($13,517 vs. $18,166).
• Carnegie Mellon University is 599% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCSA (about $56,769 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $9,477.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 143.5% higher at Carnegie Mellon than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (about $39,035 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $27,211.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Carolina School of the Arts than at Carnegie Mellon University (62% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students is 273.6% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina School of the Arts students ($48,107 vs. $12,876).

UNCSA vs. Carnegie Mellon Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 280 points higher than at UNCSA (1260).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 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; Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 22/29; Carnegie Mellon University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCSA - Test optional; Carnegie Mellon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCSA Mar 15, 2027; Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carnegie Mellon students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at UNCSA (3.75).
• UNCSA has a higher acceptance rate (30%) than Carnegie Mellon (11.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.5% at UNCSA vs. 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon.

UNCSA vs. Carnegie Mellon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCSA and Carnegie Mellon? 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).

• Carnegie Mellon University's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than University of North Carolina School of the Arts's (58%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $63,600 more per year than UNCSA graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carnegie Mellon University graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than UNCSA graduates ($26,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Carnegie Mellon graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCSA graduates ($271 vs. $279).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCSA students, three years after graduation. (91% 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.