University of North Carolina School of the Arts
A good fit for competitive applicants and families looking for lower cost. no major red flags in the data. strong 78% graduation rate.
About This School
University of North Carolina School of the Arts is a public institution located in Winston Salem, North Carolina with approximately 945 undergraduate students enrolled. The school is moderately selective, accepting approximately 30% of applicants. The average net price after financial aid is $14,906 per year. The graduation rate is 78%, and the typical graduate earns $46,700 within 10 years of enrollment.
The University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) is a public art school in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It grants a high school diploma, in addition to both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Founded in 1963 as the North Carolina School of the Arts by then-Governor Terry Sanford, it was the first public arts conservatory in the United States. The school owns and operates the Stevens Center in Downtown Winston-Salem and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
As the first public arts conservatory in the U.S., this is a strong option for serious, focused arts students who want conservatory-level training at a genuinely affordable price — the average net cost of $12,372/year is hard to beat for this level of specialization. The 88% freshman retention and 79% graduation rate suggest students who get in largely stick with it, which matters in a demanding conservatory environment. The one honest caveat: median earnings of $46,700 a decade out reflect the realities of arts careers, so students should go in clear-eyed about the financial trade-offs, even though the $19,500 median debt load is relatively manageable.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 5% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (945 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Address
University of North Carolina School of the Arts
1533 South Main St.
Winston Salem, NC 27127-2738
Official Links
Other Schools in North Carolina
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Raleigh, NC · Public
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte, NC · Public
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC · Public
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC · Public
Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, NC · Public
Appalachian State University
Boone, NC · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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