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Asheville , NC
Located in the scenic mountains of Western North Carolina, the University of North Carolina Asheville (UNC Asheville) is a public liberal arts university known for its academic excellence and intimate class sizes. Established in 1927, UNC Asheville offers a variety of undergraduate programs across disciplines such as humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, and fine arts. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 13:1, students at UNC Asheville enjoy close-knit communities and personalized attention from dedicated professors.
UNC Asheville is committed to fostering a vibrant intellectual and cultural environment that nurtures critical thinking, creativity, and service. The university encourages students to explore a breadth of knowledge by offering an interdisciplinary curriculum that promotes cross-disciplinary learning and research. Students have the opportunity to engage in hands-on learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom through internships, study abroad programs, undergraduate research, and community service.
Beyond academics, UNC Asheville provides a rich campus life that promotes holistic development. Students can participate in a wide range of student organizations, clubs, and athletic teams. The universityÆs vibrant arts scene offers numerous opportunities for students to express themselves creatively through theater, music, visual arts, and more. Additionally, UNC AshevilleÆs location in Asheville, a vibrant and progressive city, provides students with access to a range of cultural, outdoor, and recreational activities, making it an ideal place for students to learn and grow.
Located in Asheville, NC and set in an urban environment, University of North Carolina Asheville is a public comprehensive higher education institution. This institution follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 91%. The freshman retention rate at University of North Carolina Asheville is 72.09% and the six-year graduation rate is 54%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is August 1. For transfer students, the application deadline is July 15.
Learn more about what University of North Carolina Asheville has to offer based on the most recent data this institution has reported.
Quick Facts
3,030
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
13:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
54%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
Knowing as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission increases your chances of getting admitted. Here are the most vital facts you need to know about admission policy and requirements at University of North Carolina Asheville.
According to the most recent information reported, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 6,783 in 2025. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
6.9% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 17.1% submitted ACT scores, out of the overall number of those who submitted test scores. 8% of the freshmen submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 64% between 1,200 and 1,399, 24% between 1,000 and 1,199, 3.7% between 800 and 999, and 1.23% between 600 and 799. The percent of freshman students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 22.58, 51.61 between 24-29, 18.55 in the range between 18-23, 7.26 between 12-17, and 1.36 between 6-11.
The average ACT score for all the admitted students in 2025 was 26 and the average GPA was 3.35. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into University of North Carolina Asheville; the same goes for your ACT score.
The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 642 and an average SAT Math score of 611.
Deadlines
The application deadline for this school is August 1. If considering applying as a transfer student, note that the application deadline is July 15.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is the percentage of college or university newcomers who return for their sophomore year. That information can tell you if the majority of freshmen liked their first year enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for University of North Carolina Asheville was 72.09% in 2025, indicative of the exceptional educational experience and supportive environment at this school.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. At this school, the rate of students graduating within six years is 54%.
Student Body
It is always challenging to figure out which school is best for you. You can get a better insight into a school's culture and life by learning more about its student body.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at University of North Carolina Asheville in 2025 was 3,054.
That year, the institution had an out-of-state student body percentage of 12.85. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 3,030, 54 of which were international students. The school admitted a total of 286 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 1,105 male and 1,612 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
The importance of student diversity cannnot be denied, when it comes to the overall feeling of inclusion and beloning among the students of any school. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
This school had 58 Asian students and 175 Afro-American students in 2025. 301 undergraduate students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 122 as multirace. The school also had 2 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 9 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 73 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before you send an application to any college or university, you should take into account the financial component. Here are some data on the expenses that most students at this school have.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at University of North Carolina Asheville? Here is what you need to know.
For local residents, public county and municipal institutions reported that tuition costs were $4,122. For students who don't live in the state in which the university is located, the tuition was $21,470 in 2025. Tuition costs at University of North Carolina Asheville for international students were $21,470. Full-time students in 2025 were mandated to pay additional fees in the amount of $3,379.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $21,470 | $3,379 | $24,849 |
| In-State | $4,122 | $3,379 | $7,501 |
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to consider the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. The estimated cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is $1,000.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. How much do room and board fees average around at colleges and universities?
In 2025, the price of room and board at University of North Carolina Asheville was $13,446 per academic year. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2025 came to $8,908 for one academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was also $8,908.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 4,122 |
| Room and Board | $ 13,446 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,000 |
| Total Expense | $ 18,568 |
Financial Aid
There are different types of financial support: grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get informed about need-based and non-need-based aid available at University of North Carolina Asheville.
According to the most recent data, 353 freshmen were awarded financial aid. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $12,195.
Need-based
Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as need-based aid.
1,333 students were designated some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at University of North Carolina Asheville is available to international students. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was found to be 1,384. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution totaled $5,347,067, and state $3,453,359. The students of University of North Carolina Asheville received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $3,728,380, and external in the amount of $345,524.
$2,738
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 89 students overall (including freshmen) at University of North Carolina Asheville in 2025. 21 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $5,347,067 while the state aid is $30,956. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $1,920,376. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $255,737 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
13:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio represents the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
In 2025, this ratio at University of North Carolina Asheville was 13:1. That means that there were 13 times more students than teachers at this school. This school has recently reported to have 242 faculty members. This number included 116 men and 125 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at University of North Carolina Asheville.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at University of North Carolina Asheville: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Check out some details about social life at University of North Carolina Asheville.
Its campus spans 365 acres.
Student Organizations
A student organization is run by students at a university or a college institution, whose membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.
According to the most recent information, there are 67 open-membership organizations at University of North Carolina Asheville. This number includes sororities and fraternities. The percentage of male students who are members of organizations is 1.33 and female students 94. The student organization that is most favored by students is Black Student Association, followed by UNCA Minecraft Club and Women in STEM. Other popular student organizations at this school are Philosophy Club and Dungeons and Doggies.
For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. For students who have a passion for media and communication, University of North Carolina Asheville publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At University of North Carolina Asheville, there are many amenities required for a pleasant and safe life on campus.
There are phone and alarm devices that can be accessed 24/7 for emergency situations. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a round-the-clock security patrol. The after-hours transportation/escort service is available.
This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of University of North Carolina Asheville.
All in all, campus life at University of North Carolina Asheville is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at University of North Carolina Asheville.
Career Counselling
At University of North Carolina Asheville, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be highly beneficial for your future career.
Job Placement
Acquiring information about the potential income after graduation can help you decide if a specific school is the right one for your career aspirations.
Within six months of graduation, this school's students can expect an average base annual starting salary of 52,333 USD.
$52,333
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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University of North Carolina Asheville is located in Asheville, NC.
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University of North Carolina Asheville offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for University of North Carolina Asheville is 91%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for University of North Carolina Asheville is 72.09%.
Contact Information
University of North Carolina Asheville
One University Heights
Asheville , NC
28804-3299
828 251-6600
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
