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University of North Carolina School of the Arts

#539 in US ranking Winston Salem, NC
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

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University of North Carolina School of the Arts award
University of North Carolina School of the Arts award

Cost

Cost / year
$27,371
Tuition & fees
$9,347
Avg. aid
$12,314
Receiving aid
79%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
30%
SAT range
1140–1370
ACT range
22–29

Outcomes

Graduation rate
78%
Median salary
$27,135
1 yr after graduation

What is the accreditation of University of North Carolina School of the Arts?

UNCSA is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Institutional accreditation evaluates the school as a whole; it is distinct from approval or accreditation of an individual arts program.

Accreditation is relevant to eligibility for federal student aid, but a student must still meet the aid program's own requirements. It also does not require another college to accept a particular UNCSA course in transfer, or guarantee that a degree satisfies a licensing requirement. Applicants for a specialized credential should check that program's current accreditation and any occupation-specific rules separately rather than treating institutional accreditation as a substitute.

What are the admission requirements at University of North Carolina School of the Arts?

Admission to UNCSA is selective and depends on both academic preparation and an assessment of artistic work. College applicants generally submit an application, secondary-school records, recommendations, and the audition, portfolio, interview, or other demonstration required by their intended arts school.

Applicants need a high school diploma or an accepted equivalent for degree-seeking college entry. Academic records and high school GPA are part of the review; class rank may be considered but is not required. SAT and ACT scores are considered rather than universally required. Only 11% of enrolled first-time students submitted SAT scores and 12% submitted ACT scores, so score summaries describe a limited group and should not be mistaken for an admission cutoff. English-language proficiency documentation, including TOEFL where required, is an additional consideration for applicants whose circumstances trigger that requirement.

In the reported first-time undergraduate admissions cycle, 431 of 1,438 applicants were admitted, an acceptance rate of about 30%. That institution-wide rate cannot predict an individual's chance in a particular artistic program, where audition capacity and criteria may differ. Deadlines, artistic-submission instructions, and academic requirements should be checked for the specific school, degree level, and entry term before applying; an academic application alone may not complete an arts application.

What are the application fees and waivers at University of North Carolina School of the Arts?

The reported UNCSA application fee is $95. Applicants should confirm the fee displayed for their specific application and entry level before submitting it, since an application charge is separate from any later enrollment deposit or tuition payment.

A student for whom the fee is a financial barrier should check the application's fee-waiver instructions before payment and submit any requested eligibility documentation through the designated process. Applicants should not assume that a waiver can be applied retroactively after a fee has been paid. Questions about an arts school's separate submission process are worth resolving before the application deadline.

What types of ROTC programs are available at University of North Carolina School of the Arts?

UNCSA is an arts conservatory, and prospective students should not assume it operates an Army, Air Force, or Navy ROTC unit on its campus. Participation through another institution would require a confirmed cross-enrollment arrangement and a schedule compatible with UNCSA coursework and rehearsals.

Anyone considering ROTC should ask both UNCSA and the relevant host program whether UNCSA students are currently eligible, how military-science courses would count toward their degree, and where training takes place. ROTC scholarships have separate application and eligibility rules; participation may also involve a service obligation.

What are the requirements for transfer students at University of North Carolina School of the Arts?

UNCSA accepts transfer applicants for fall entry and generally evaluates college credit earned at other accredited institutions. Transfer admission to an arts program is a separate decision from whether previously earned courses will satisfy UNCSA degree requirements.

Applicants should expect to provide official college transcripts and complete the artistic review required by their intended school. High school records may also be relevant depending on an applicant's prior college work and program instructions. Although UNCSA reports accepting several forms of examination or recommended credit, including CLEP subject examinations and DSST/DANTES credit, acceptance and application toward a particular degree are not the same thing.

Artistic course sequences can make placement especially consequential. A transfer student could receive general-education credit yet still need a prescribed series of studio or production courses. Before making an enrollment decision, request an official transfer-credit evaluation and ask the intended arts school which requirements remain, how many semesters they are expected to take, and whether any courses must be completed at UNCSA.

What types of study abroad programs are available at University of North Carolina School of the Arts?

Study abroad requires advance planning at UNCSA because arts programs often have tightly sequenced coursework, rehearsals, and production commitments. Students interested in an international experience should establish whether an available short-term, faculty-led, partner, or independently arranged program fits their degree plan.

Before paying a program deposit, a student should obtain approval for proposed courses and ask how credits would be recorded, whether participation would delay required artistic training, and which costs or financial aid could apply. An international opportunity advertised by another provider should not be assumed to be operated by UNCSA or automatically eligible for degree credit.

University of North Carolina School of the Arts Admissions Factors

SAT range
1140–1370
4001600
ACT range
22–29
136
Acceptance rate
30%

Acceptance rate vs. median

This school
30%
North Carolina
75%
US
78%

55% of admitted students enrolled (239 of 431)

ACT scores of enrolled students

ACT in range 12-17
ACT in range 18-23
ACT in range 24-29
ACT in range 30-36

University of North Carolina School of the Arts Admissions

Applicants
Total: 1,438
Admission
Total: 431
Enrolled
Total: 239
Women
Men

How to Apply to University of North Carolina School of the Arts

Regular application deadline

January 15

Application fee

$95

Early Decision

No

Early Action

No

University of North Carolina School of the Arts First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

In-state: 113
Out-of-state: 119
International: 6

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 239
Transfer: 43

University of North Carolina School of the Arts Admission Requirements

Median composite SAT score

1271

Median composite ACT score

25

Percent of students submitting ACT scores

12%

Percent of students submitting SAT scores

11%

High school completions

General Educational Development (GED) required

Computer required

No

Computer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution

No

Secondary school GPA

Required

Secondary school rank

Considered but not required

Secondary school record

Required

Completion of college-preparatory program

Considered but not required

Recommendations

Required

Formal demonstration of competencies

Required

Admission test scores

Considered but not required

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language

Required

Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)

Neither required nor recommended

Open admission policy

No

Dual credit

No

Credit for life experiences

No

Advanced placement (AP) credits

Yes

Special learning opportunities

Orientation program

Yes

Disabilities services

Yes

Off-campus study

No

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

No

Preparation at another institution required

No

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

No

University of North Carolina School of the Arts Transfer Acceptance Rate

Generally accepts credits

Yes

Accept ACE recommendation for credit

Yes

Possible transfer

Fall

Data last updated on November 5, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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