University of North Carolina School of the Arts's published cost of attendance is $26,470. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $3,165, middle-income families pay around $11,491, and higher-income families pay approximately $25,172.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $26,470 |
| Tuition and Fees | $27,211 |
| Room and Board | $13,517 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,500 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$11,564 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $14,906 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $3,165 |
| $30–48k | $7,828 |
| $48–75k | $11,491 |
| $75–110k | $20,173 |
| $110k+ | $25,172 |
University of North Carolina School of the Arts's published cost of attendance is $26,470. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $3,165, middle-income families pay around $11,491, and higher-income families pay approximately $25,172. Azimuth ranks University of North Carolina School of the Arts #595 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. University of North Carolina School of the Arts meets demonstrated financial need through need-based aid distributed via the FAFSA and institutional application. The aid structure prioritizes grants and scholarships over loans where possible, though work-study and student loans remain part of the aid package for many families. Merit scholarships are also available for qualifying students, supplementing need-based support. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $23,870, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $44,645; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at University of North Carolina School of the Arts's median four-year earnings of $42,023, median federal debt of $23,870 projects to a monthly payment of about $270 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use .
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt-to-earnings data not available.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates of University of North Carolina School of the Arts earn median 4-year earnings of $42,023, placing the institution in the 1.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks University of North Carolina School of the Arts #1073 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. These outcomes reflect the institution's specialized focus on visual and performing arts, a field where early-career earnings vary significantly by discipline and career pathway. The earnings pattern centers on Visual & Performing Arts, which shapes the institution's economic profile. Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft is the largest program with 86 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $48,664, at 1.2x the national benchmark for the field. The Film/Video and Photographic Arts program graduates 74 students with median 4-year earnings of $41,000, while Dance with 38 graduates reaches $32,463. Music rounds out the major programs with 23 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $34,022. As a specialized arts institution, University of North Carolina School of the Arts serves students whose career trajectories often extend beyond traditional employment metrics — including freelance work, ensemble participation, and creative entrepreneurship — making the four-year earnings snapshot one lens among several for evaluating long-term creative and financial outcomes.
