B+
Very Good
Score: 74/100
Overall (traditional)
D
Outcome Rating
38/100 · earnings-weighted

University of North Carolina School of the Arts

4-Year Public
📍 Winston Salem, North Carolina 27127
🌐 www.uncsa.edu/
University of North Carolina School of the Arts — acceptance rate 33%, tuition $6,497 in-state, $24,231 out-of-state
University of North Carolina School of the Arts — acceptance rate 33%, tuition $6,497 in-state, $24,231 out-of-state
University of North Carolina School of the Arts campus, Winston Salem, NC
University of North Carolina School of the Arts campus, Winston Salem, NC. Photo: William Davis, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.
Outcomes
A
86/100
Affordability
C+
58/100
Resources
B+
80/100
Experience
A
89/100
Prestige
C+
57/100

Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology

Quick Stats

1,074
Total Enrollment
79%
Graduation Rate
88%
Retention Rate
6.0:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
33%
Acceptance Rate
$11,163
Avg Net Price
🏠 Housing Market Near University of North Carolina School of the Arts ▼

2% of first-year students live off campus and not with family (U.S. Dept. of Education, IPEDS). Upper-year students at most universities move off campus at much higher rates, so near-campus rental demand is typically larger than this figure suggests.

Avg Home Value
$259,605
Avg Monthly Rent
$1,764
1-Year Change
+2.9%

Earnings, Debt & Completion

What happens to students who enroll at University of North Carolina School of the Arts, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.

$38,357
Median earnings 10 yrs after entry
$24,537
Median earnings 6 yrs after entry
$23,870
Median debt at graduation
77.8%
Completion rate (within 150% of normal time)
1,260
Average SAT
25
Median ACT
26.3%
Students receiving Pell grants

Typical debt at graduation equals about 62% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.

Earnings rank: 9th percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (NC wage index 0.87). This drives the Outcome Rating.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.

Earnings by Major at University of North Carolina School of the Arts

Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.

Major1 yr after4 yrs aftervs. nationalRank (pay)Rank (wage-adj.)Median debt
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft$21,229$48,664+22%#20 of 255#9$23,500
Film/Video and Photographic Arts$24,053$41,000-6%#105 of 144#75$26,139
Music—$34,022-21%#243 of 268#217$22,084
Dance$14,201$32,463-19%#53 of 58#47$22,454

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.

For parents & investors

The University of North Carolina School of the Arts Town Property Report

  • Avg home value near campus: $259,605
  • Avg rent near campus: $1,764/mo — vs ~$955/mo campus room rate
  • Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 27101 (5.5% cap, Winston-Salem)

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🏆 Where University of North Carolina School of the Arts Ranks

Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.

🥉
Technical Theatre/Theatre Design and Technology
of 9 schools
#6
Cinematography and Film/Video Production
of 85 schools
#7
Dance, General
of 27 schools
#16
Music Performance, General
of 79 schools
#29
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General
of 100 schools

Costs & Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees

Category In-State Out-of-State
Tuition $6,497 $24,231
Room $8,593
Board $4,817
Total Cost (On-Campus) $27,036 $44,770

Financial Aid

80%
Receive Any Aid
25%
Receive Pell Grants
49%
Take Out Loans
$11,163
Avg Net Price

Net Price by Family Income

Family Income Average Net Price
$0 - $30,000$4,932
$30,001 - $48,000$6,698
$48,001 - $75,000$10,547
$75,001 - $110,000$21,768
$110,001+$24,061

Student Demographics

1,074
Total Students
61%
Women
95%
Traditional Age (18-24)
2%
Off-Campus Renters

👥 Race & Ethnicity

White 60%
Hispanic 14%
Black 10%
Asian 3%
Two or More 5%
Non-Resident 5%

🏠 Living Arrangements

On Campus 94%
Off-Campus (Renters) 2%
With Family 5%
🏘️ Rental Demand: ~16 students need off-campus housing

💻 Learning Mode

In-Person 85%
Hybrid (Some Online) 15%

📊 Age Distribution

18-24 (Traditional) 95%
25-64 (Adult) 3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at University of North Carolina School of the Arts?
University of North Carolina School of the Arts has an acceptance rate of 33%. This makes it a moderately selective institution with competitive admission standards.
How much does it cost to attend University of North Carolina School of the Arts?
Tuition at University of North Carolina School of the Arts is $6,497 for in-state students and $24,231 for out-of-state students . However, the average net price after financial aid is $11,163.
What is the graduation rate at University of North Carolina School of the Arts?
The graduation rate at University of North Carolina School of the Arts is 79%. This is a solid graduation rate, showing that most students who enroll successfully complete their degrees.
Is University of North Carolina School of the Arts a good school?
University of North Carolina School of the Arts has a Repit College Score of 74/100 (Grade: B+). Our rating evaluates five key factors:
  • Outcomes (A): Graduation and retention rates
  • Affordability (C+): Net cost and financial aid access
  • Resources (B+): Class sizes and selectivity
  • Experience (A): Campus life and learning format
  • Prestige (C+): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend University of North Carolina School of the Arts?
University of North Carolina School of the Arts has a total enrollment of 1,074 students. Most students (95%) are traditional college-age (18-24).
Is there rental demand near University of North Carolina School of the Arts?
Yes! Approximately 2% of students at University of North Carolina School of the Arts live off-campus (not with family). That's roughly 16 students who need rental housing near campus.

Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for University of North Carolina School of the Arts — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →

🎓 Similar Colleges to University of North Carolina School of the Arts

Compare with other 4-Year public institutions of similar size.

C+
University of North Carolina Asheville
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C+
Elizabeth City State University
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C+
Carolinas College of Health Sciences
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B+
Davidson College
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B+
Wake Forest University
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North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Raleigh, NC · 37,323 students

Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology