University of North Carolina School of the Arts
#6 Best Colleges for Visual- Graduation Rate
- 78% B+
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $38,357 C-
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $14,906 C+
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 30% A
- Admits roughly 30% — highly selective
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 25.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $25.5 over 20 years. Ranked #6 in Best Colleges for Visual.
Every $1 spent returns $25.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,458,214.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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A 78% graduation rate — 37% above the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $25.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why University of North Carolina School of the Arts Matters
University of North Carolina School of the Arts is a public special-focus institution in Winston Salem, NC and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by selective admissions and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Special-Focus Institution
- Carnegie Class
- Special Focus
- Enrollment
- 945
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Visual & Performing Arts
Why students choose University of North Carolina School of the Arts
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Selective — admits about 30% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1140–1370. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $14,906 a year after grants and scholarships — 13% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $38,357 ten years after enrolling — 6% below the typical college, against $23,870 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.4% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 54% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.70 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
The University of North Carolina School of the Arts is a great fit for students passionate about pursuing fine arts, particularly in visual and performing arts. With an acceptance rate of 30%, it attracts creative individuals who are serious about honing their craft. Students here immerse themselves in specialized programs that focus on areas like acting, music, dance, and visual arts, which helps them build a strong portfolio for their future careers.
For those considering their post-graduation path, the outcomes are promising. Graduates earn an average of $38,357 within ten years of completing their degree. This figure reflects the school's focused training in the arts, preparing students for roles in competitive fields. While we don't have mobility data, the school's graduation rate of 78% suggests that a solid majority of students complete their programs and step into the workforce with valuable skills.
Looking at the financial side, the net price after aid comes to around $14,906, which is manageable for many families. However, it's worth noting that the median debt for graduates stands at $23,870. This means students need to balance their passion for the arts with financial considerations. Those who thrive here are often deeply committed to their craft and ready to take on the challenges of an artistic career, making the most of the resources and community that UNC School of the Arts offers.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective University of North Carolina School of the Arts is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of North Carolina School of the Arts? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
University of North Carolina School of the Arts, located in Winston Salem, North Carolina, reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 30%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,260. The graduation rate is roughly 78%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 30%
- Retention Rate
- 93%
- SAT Average
- 1260
- ACT Midpoint
- 25
- SAT Range
- 1140–1370
- ACT Range
- 22–29
- Full-Time Faculty
- 75%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,980
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 6:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.68
- Applicants
- 1,139
- Admitted
- 362
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of North Carolina School of the Arts? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of North Carolina School of the Arts is $27,211, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $14,906. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $3,165 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,870 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $9,477
- Out-of-State
- $27,211
- Avg Net Price
- $14,906
- Median Debt
- $23,870
- Pell Grant Rate
- 26%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 47%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $3,165
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $7,828
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $11,491
- Family Income $110K+
- $25,172
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is University of North Carolina School of the Arts Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of North Carolina School of the Arts report median earnings of $38,357, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $24,537
- 8 Years
- $36,465
- 10 Years
- $38,357
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.62x
- Earning > $25K
- 47%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (153)
- 71%
- 100% (153)
- 71%
- 100% (153)
- 71%
- 100% (153)
- 71%
How University Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is University of North Carolina School of the Arts Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of North Carolina School of the Arts delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $14,906/year ($59,624 total). Graduates earn $38,357 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,517,838 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,458,214 (25.5× your investment). The median debt is $23,870, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 78% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $59,624
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,517,838
- Net Return
- $1,458,214
- ROI Multiple
- 25.5×
- Cost Per Year
- $14,906
- Median Debt
- $23,870
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 78%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does University of North Carolina School of the Arts Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of North Carolina School of the Arts is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.39%, well above the typical college. About 4.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 34% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $106,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.39%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 34.0%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 4.1%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $106,800
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $12,576
- Investment Income
- $2,214,207
Top Programs
The fields University of North Carolina School of the Arts awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for University of North Carolina School of the Arts's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- C-Art Director$105,180 · 5% growthAdaptable 60
- C-Animator$86,120 · 3% growthAdaptable 60
- D+Fashion Designer$79,600 · 1% growthAdaptable 60
- D+Interior Designer$62,510 · 4% growthAdaptable 60
- C-Museum Curator$59,880 · 8% growthAdaptable 60
- D+Graphic Designer$58,910 · 3% growthVulnerable 48
- D+Photographer$40,760 · 4% growthAdaptable 60
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of North Carolina School of the Arts? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
University of North Carolina School of the Arts, located in Winston Salem, North Carolina, reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 30%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,260. The graduation rate is roughly 78%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of North Carolina School of the Arts? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of North Carolina School of the Arts is $27,211, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $14,906. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $3,165 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,870 in federal student loans.
Is University of North Carolina School of the Arts Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of North Carolina School of the Arts report median earnings of $38,357, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does University of North Carolina School of the Arts Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of North Carolina School of the Arts is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.39%, well above the typical college. About 4.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 34% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $106,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is University of North Carolina School of the Arts? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Its economic connectedness score is 1.70, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 9% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of North Carolina School of the Arts.
- Hallmark UniversitySan Antonio, TX · Close peer67% grad $40,183 earn 51% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size
- California Institute of the ArtsValencia, CA · Close peer65% grad $41,198 earn 32% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Ohio Christian UniversityCircleville, OH · Close peer35% grad $39,813 earn 38% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Bennington CollegeBennington, VT · Close peer69% grad $38,289 earn 45% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Huston-Tillotson UniversityAustin, TX · Strong match35% grad $42,937 earn 39% acceptWhy: similar selectivity
- Dillard UniversityNew Orleans, LA · Strong match44% grad $39,196 earn 42% acceptWhy: similar earnings
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of North Carolina School of the Arts? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Its economic connectedness score is 1.70, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 9% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note