Overview of the University of North Carolina, Asheville (UNCA)

The University of North Carolina Asheville is a public liberal arts college with an acceptance rate of 94%. The institution has a large selection of undergraduate and graduate degree programs for students to select from. A robust student/faculty ratio backs students, and professors take a personalized approach to the teaching and learning process. Outside of the classroom, students will find plenty of opportunities to engage with the campus community via the university’s many clubs and organizations. In athletics, the UNC Asheville Bulldogs play in the NCAA Division I Big South Conference.

Enrollment

• Total Enrollment: 3,762 (3,743 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 43 percent male/57 percent female
• 86 percent full-time

Cost of Attendance Information

• Tuition and Fees: $7,145 (in-state); $23,868 (out-of-state)
• Books: $1,200
• Room and Board: $9,380
• Other Expenses: $2,464
• Total Cost: $20,189 (in-state); $36,912 (out-of-state)

Financial Aid Information

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 76 percent
• Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 62 percent
  • Loans: 50 percent

• Average Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $7,384
  • Loans: $6,389

Academic Programs Offered

• Most Popular Majors: Psychology, General; Business Administration and Management, General; Environmental Studies; Mass Communication/Media Studies; and Public Health Education and Promotion

Retention and Graduation

• First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 73 percent
• Transfer-Out Rate: 27 percent
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 46 percent
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 63 percent

NCAA Athletic Programs

• Men’s Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Soccer, Tennis, Track and Field
• Women’s Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball

Overview of the University of North Carolina, Asheville (UNCA) Admissions

UNC Asheville, which accepts over three-quarters of applicants, has a moderately selective admissions procedure. Students whose SAT/ACT scores and GPA are within the institution’s requirements have a good chance of being admitted. Applicants must complete an online application, and send test scores from either the SAT or ACT and high school transcripts. Glowing recommendation letters can bolster your application, along with being involved with student organizations and attempting a challenging course load. Students with unique talents and accomplishments can still receive strong consideration even if their GPAs are outside of the admissions offices mean range. After applying, students will receive a message from an admissions counselor about the next steps of the application process. Interested students should check out the university’s website, which has helpful tips and contact information for the admissions offices.

Admissions Data                        

Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, UNC Asheville had an acceptance rate of 94%. For every 100 students who submitted applications, 94 students gained admission, making UNC Asheville’s admissions procedure moderately competitive.

SAT Requirements and Scores

Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 65% of students provided SAT scores. This admissions data reveals that most of UNC Asheville’s students fall within the top 35% nationally on the SAT.  50% of admitted students to UNC Asheville scored between 540 and 640, while 25% scored under 540 and 25% scored over 640. 50% of students scored between 520 and 610 on the math part, while 25% scored under 520, and 25% scored over 610. Applicants with a cumulative SAT score of 1250 or higher will have a competitive advantage at UNC Asheville.

ACT Requirements and Scores

Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 61% of students provided ACT scores. This admissions data reveals that most of UNC Asheville’s students fall within the top 42% nationally on the ACT. The mean 50% of admitted students to UNC Asheville received a cumulative ACT score between 21 and 28, while 25% scored over 28, and 25% scored under 21.

GPA

In 2019, the mean high school GPA of UNC Asheville’s incoming freshmen class was 3.98, and over 60% of the class had GPAs of 3.25 and over. This information suggests that Successful applicants to UNC Asheville have primarily B grades.

Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission

If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for UNC Asheville, then it should be easy for you to gain admissions to the schools below. If UNC Asheville is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.

Hampton University, Washington State University, University of Texas at San Antonio, East Carolina University, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Texas State University

Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission

If you’re a competitive candidate for UNC Asheville, then you should have an equal chance of gaining admissions at these schools.

University of Oregon, University of Alabama, Colorado State University, Quinnipiac University, Ohio University, University of North Texas, University of Texas at Arlington

Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will be More of a Challenge

These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than UNC Asheville. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, then you’ll be a competitive candidate for these schools.

Syracuse University, United States Military Academy, Penn State University Park, University of Cincinnati, Hofstra University, Temple University, Seton Hall University

Applying to UNC Asheville

Application Deadline: August 1

Undergraduate Admissions Website:

https://www.unca.edu/admission/apply/first-year-students/

Undergraduate Application Link(s):

https://www.unca.edu/admission/apply/

Graduate Admissions Website:

https://agc.unca.edu/welcome-office-graduate-studies-and-professional-education  

Graduate Application Link(s):

https://www.unca.edu/admission/apply/