UNCSA vs. WCU

University of North Carolina School of the Arts and Western Carolina University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

University of North Carolina School of the Arts
Western Carolina University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: UNCSA (30% admitted vs 81.8%). Typical SAT 1260 vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $13,140 at UNCSA vs $13,767 at WCU. UNCSA in-state tuition is about $4,847 more per year.
  • Graduation: UNCSA 58% vs WCU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: UNCSA $39,100 vs WCU $39,100 (median).
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Key differences

University of North Carolina School of the Arts Western Carolina University
Acceptance rate
UNCSA more selective
UNCSA30%
WCU81.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
UNCSA higher
UNCSA1140-1370
WCU1080-1270
Average net price
About even
UNCSA$13,140
WCU$13,767
In-state tuition
WCU $4,847 less
UNCSA$9,477
WCU$4,630
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $18,581 less
UNCSA$27,211
WCU$8,630
Graduation rate
UNCSA +8 pts
UNCSA58%
WCU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
UNCSA +$0
UNCSA$39,100
WCU$39,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • UNCSA 1,438
  • WCU 19,742
  • Admitted
  • UNCSA 431
  • WCU 16,154
  • Acceptance rate
  • UNCSA 30%
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • UNCSA 55.5%
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • UNCSA 1260
  • WCU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • UNCSA 25
  • WCU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • UNCSA 3.75
  • WCU 3.44
  • Typical high school grades
  • UNCSA A-
  • WCU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • UNCSA Difficult
  • WCU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • UNCSA High
  • WCU
  • SAT range
  • UNCSA 1140-1370
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • ACT range
  • UNCSA 22-29
  • WCU 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • UNCSA Test optional
  • WCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • UNCSA Mar 15, 2027
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • UNCSA $9,477
  • WCU $4,630
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • UNCSA $27,211
  • WCU $8,630
  • Room & board
  • UNCSA $13,517
  • WCU $12,354
  • Average net price
  • UNCSA $13,140
  • WCU $13,767
  • Average grant aid
  • UNCSA $12,876
  • WCU $5,993
  • % receiving grant aid
  • UNCSA 62%
  • WCU 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • UNCSA 58%
  • WCU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • UNCSA $39,100
  • WCU $39,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • UNCSA 56%
  • WCU 58%
  • Median student loan debt
  • UNCSA $27,000
  • WCU $22,010
  • Median loan payment
  • UNCSA $279
  • WCU $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • UNCSA 6:1
  • WCU 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • UNCSA
    • Visual and Performing Arts (100%)
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Location
  • UNCSA Winston Salem, NC
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Setting
  • UNCSA Midsize City
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • UNCSA 1,111
  • WCU 11,686
  • Type
  • UNCSA Public 4 Year
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • UNCSA #293
  • WCU #698

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 tables 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.

Cost details

  • 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).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 215.3% higher at UNCSA than at Western Carolina University (about $18,581 more per year; $27,211 vs. $8,630).
  • 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).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at UNCSA than at WCU (25 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both UNCSA and WCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: UNCSA Mar 15, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at UNCSA average a 3.75 high school GPA, 0.31 higher than at WCU (3.44).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.5% at UNCSA vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Loans and repayment

  • 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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