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University of North Carolina School of the Arts

UNCSA

Winston Salem, North Carolina 27127-2738

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Campus Vibe

Small & IntimateUrbanPublicClose Faculty Access

Close-knit campus — excellent value

University of North Carolina School of the Arts is a public urban institution in Winston Salem, North Carolina. The school is accessible to a wide range of students, with an average SAT of 1250.

A small campus of 902 undergraduates with a 6:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

79% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $38,357 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $12,372.

Established
1963
Mascot
The Fighting Pickle
Type
Public art school

Campus Visits

28 upcoming visits · Next: Mon, Jun 1 · Campus Visit

Plan Your Visit

33%Acceptance
1250SAT Avg
902Students
6:1Student:Faculty
79%Grad Rate
$38,357Earnings 10yr
$12,372Net Price

News & Alerts

program2026-03-15

University of North Carolina School of the Arts Launches New Data Science Minor

Starting Fall 2026, students can pursue an interdisciplinary data science minor combining CS, statistics, and domain courses.

tuition2026-02-28

Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27

The board of trustees approved a 3.2% tuition increase for the upcoming academic year, in line with peer institutions.

Admissions

Acceptance Rate33.1%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1250

Reading & WritingMid: 643
600710
MathMid: 628
550640

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 25
2427

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Admissions Intel

Acceptance Rate

33.1%

Trend

SAT Avg

1250

Yield Rate

35.0%

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$9,477
Tuition (out-of-state)$27,211
Room & Board$13,410
Books & Supplies$1,440
Total Cost of Attendance$25,553
Average Net Price$12,372
Median Debt at Graduation$23,870
Monthly Payment (10yr)$253

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$4,932
$30–48K$6,698
$48–75K$10,547
$75–110K$21,768
$110K+$24,061

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

53.4%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.2%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$19,500

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

7

Peer Average

3

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

2

Burglary

0

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

1

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

2

Drug Arrests

1

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (10)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

88%

Mixed
  • 88% first-year retention rate
  • Active student organizations
  • Engaged campus community

Mental Health Services

Counselor Ratio

1:350

24/7 Crisis Line

Yes

Free Sessions

12 per year

Avg Wait

5 days

Walk-in hours available weekdays

Disability Services

Dedicated OfficeOffice of Disability Services
Extended test timeNote-taking assistanceHousing accommodationsAccessible transportation

ADA-compliant campus with ongoing accessibility improvements

Dining

Rating

★★★★☆

Score

4/5

Meal Plan

$6,200/yr

VegetarianVeganGluten-freeHalalKosher

Multiple dining halls with farm-to-table options

Student Body

Undergrads
902
Gender Split
62% / 38%
Women / Men
Pell Grant Recipients
25%

Race & Ethnicity

White 60%
Black 11%
Hispanic 15%
Asian 3%
Two+ 6%
Int'l 3%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate79.2%
Freshman Retention88.1%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$24,537
10 Years$38,357

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#45
2
vs 2024
Forbes
#52
1
vs 2024
Niche
#38
3
vs 2024

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

  • State funds were appropriated, and a North Carolina Conservatory Committee was established.
  • The School of the Arts became a constituent institution of the University of North Carolina system in 1972.
  • Vittorio Giannini was the school's founder and first president.
  • Giannini served as president of the fledgling institution until his death in November 1966.
  • In 1974, Robert Suderburg became UNCSA's third chancellor following Martin Sokoloff, the administrative director, who served as interim chancellor from 1973 to 1974.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

112Above Average

Housing and food costs are higher than national average

Climate (School Year)

68°
Sep
55°
Oct
42°
Nov
30°
Dec
25°
Jan
28°
Feb
38°
Mar
50°
Apr
62°
May
Snowfall: 48"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 120

Nearest Cities

Bostonpop. 675,647
90 miles(95 min)
Hartfordpop. 121,054
60 miles(70 min)

Transit Scores

BikeableCampus shuttle: Free campus shuttle runs 7am-midnight
72
Walk Score
45
Transit Score
68
Bike Score

Local Economy

Unemployment Rate3.2%
Top Employers
UniversityRegional Medical CenterTech corridor firms
Key Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnology

Getting There

Nearest Airports

CLT Charlotte72 mi
RDU Raleigh-Durham82 mi
RIC Richmond189 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA655 mi · ~18h 55m drive
New York, NY465 mi · ~13h 26m drive
Hartford, CT565 mi · ~16h 19m drive
Providence, RI618 mi · ~17h 51m drive
Albany, NY571 mi · ~16h 30m drive
Syracuse, NY528 mi · ~15h 15m drive
Rochester, NY509 mi · ~14h 42m drive
Buffalo, NY476 mi · ~13h 45m drive
Philadelphia, PA384 mi · ~11h 6m drive
Pittsburgh, PA302 mi · ~8h 43m drive
Harrisburg, PA342 mi · ~9h 53m drive
Newark, NJ460 mi · ~13h 17m drive
Washington, DC263 mi · ~7h 36m drive
Baltimore, MD298 mi · ~8h 37m drive
Atlanta, GA285 mi · ~8h 14m drive
Charlotte, NC68 mi · ~1h 58m drive
Raleigh, NC92 mi · ~2h 39m drive
Miami, FL713 mi · ~20h 36m drive
Orlando, FL525 mi · ~15h 10m drive
Tampa, FL576 mi · ~16h 38m drive
Nashville, TN365 mi · ~10h 33m drive
New Orleans, LA709 mi · ~20h 29m drive
Richmond, VA185 mi · ~5h 21m drive
Chicago, IL564 mi · ~16h 18m drive
Detroit, MI458 mi · ~13h 14m drive
Minneapolis, MN918 mi · ~26h 31m drive
St. Louis, MO575 mi · ~16h 37m drive
Kansas City, MO812 mi · ~23h 27m drive
Indianapolis, IN411 mi · ~11h 52m drive
Columbus, OH308 mi · ~8h 54m drive
Cleveland, OH383 mi · ~11h 4m drive
Milwaukee, WI631 mi · ~18h 14m drive
Dallas, TX970 mi · ~28h 1m drive
Houston, TX979 mi · ~28h 17m drive
Austin, TX1087 mi · ~31h 24m drive
San Antonio, TX1154 mi · ~33h 20m drive
Los Angeles, CA2140 mi · ~61h 49m drive
San Francisco, CA2313 mi · ~66h 49m drive
San Diego, CA2105 mi · ~60h 49m drive
Seattle, WA2276 mi · ~65h 45m drive
Portland, OR2285 mi · ~66h 1m drive
Denver, CO1368 mi · ~39h 31m drive
Phoenix, AZ1808 mi · ~52h 14m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1734 mi · ~50h 6m drive
Honolulu, HI4695 mi · ~135h 38m drive
Southern (mild winters, hot summers)

Visit Planning

Suggested Itinerary

9:00 AMArrive & park
Visitor parking lot
Free parking with visitor pass
9:30 AMCheck in at Admissions
Admissions Office
10:00 AMInformation session
Welcome Center
45 minutes
11:00 AMCampus tour
Starts at Welcome Center
75 minutes, student-led
12:30 PMLunch
Main Dining Hall
Visitor meal passes available
1:30 PMDepartment visit
Academic buildings
Schedule with department directly
2:30 PMExplore campus independently
Library, student center, residence halls

Airport Transit

Charlotte (CLT)72 miles
Rental car
108 min$40-60/day
Shuttle/rideshare
144 min$86-144
Raleigh-Durham (RDU)82 miles
Rental car
123 min$40-60/day
Shuttle/rideshare
164 min$98-164

University of North Carolina School of the Arts Application Checklist

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