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Asheville, NC · Public · 2,910 undergraduates · urban

University of North Carolina Asheville

Less selective

Faculty-mentored undergraduate research is a defining feature across disciplines rather than an opportunity reserved mostly for advanced STEM students.

Institutional profile

Regionally focused Solid in affordability, and steady in mobility.
Academic Steady Affordability Solid Career Steady Mobility Steady Experience Steady
Academic standing Steady
Affordability Solid
Career outcomes Steady
Mobility Steady
Student experience Steady
Admission
93.9% admitted

5,465 applicants in the reported year

Price by income
Resident and nonresident prices differ

Compare recent average annual costs by household income

Completion
63.8%

$44,030 median earnings 10 years after enrollment

What sets University of North Carolina Asheville apart

Academic design

The curriculum emphasizes broad liberal learning, close faculty contact and undergraduate research across sciences, humanities, social sciences and creative fields. Research and creative activity are accessible early and often culminate in student presentations.

Campus pattern

The campus sits close to downtown Asheville and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Students can combine a compact campus with hiking, arts, music, nonprofits and the region’s outdoor economy.

Defining feature

Faculty-mentored undergraduate research is a defining feature across disciplines rather than an opportunity reserved mostly for advanced STEM students.

Can I get in?

93.9% admitted

Start with academic preparation, then show why this particular academic and campus environment fits you.

Recent applicant pool

5,465

About 94 in every 100 applicants were admitted.

Admission rate 93.9%
Entering class

Academic range

SAT middle 50%1170–1350
10601460
ACT middle 50%22–29
1734

Of admitted students, 10% submitted an SAT, and 23% submitted an ACT. The SAT range comes from a small share of admitted students and does not describe the full class.

Academic benchmarkLess selective

In the season card

Where your GPA sits in the entering class

The full entering-class GPA distribution for University of North Carolina Asheville, in nine bands from 4.0 down, with your own record marked on it.

See where I land

In the season card

What University of North Carolina Asheville weighs when it reads a file

See how this college describes the role of grades, testing, essays, recommendations, activities, and demonstrated interest.

  • Course rigor  
  • GPA  
  • Test scores  
  • Essay  
  • Recommendations  
  • Extracurriculars  
  • Demonstrated interest  
See what counts here

What moves the application

The evidence that separates a strong file

01

Show preparation for this curriculum

The curriculum emphasizes broad liberal learning, close faculty contact and undergraduate research across sciences, humanities, social sciences and creative fields. Research and creative activity are accessible early and often culminate in student presentations.

02

Make the fit specific

Faculty-mentored undergraduate research is a defining feature across disciplines rather than an opportunity reserved mostly for advanced STEM students.

03

Account for the tradeoff

Keep academic direction and school-specific choices coherent across the application.

How to apply

Rounds, route, and required materials

Build the calendar around the earliest realistic application round and make the school-specific case concrete.

Early ActionNov 1
Regular DecisionFeb 1
Fee and waiver$75 application fee

Fee waiver: accepted

Can I afford it?

Compare annual cost by household income.

Start with the average net price for your income range, then set that estimate beside your other realistic options.

Published annual cost$24,340
Average annual cost after aid, in-state$12,000
Affordability profileSolid

In the season card

Average annual cost by household income at University of North Carolina Asheville

Compare recent average net prices across five federal income ranges and estimate a 4-year cost for yours.

  • $0–30k 
  • $30–48k 
  • $48–75k 
  • $75–110k 
  • $110k+ 
Open the price by income

Is it worth it?

Completion, debt, and earnings

Faculty-mentored undergraduate research is a defining feature across disciplines rather than an opportunity reserved mostly for advanced STEM students.

Complete within 8 years63.8%

Degree completion across the reported entering cohort

Return after year one72.7%

First-year students who return for year two

Median federal debtWhat students owe on the way out

And what that comes to against what they earn.

Median earnings$44,030

Reported 10 years after enrollment

Academic portfolio

Largest bachelor’s fields

How many students finish in each field, and median earnings four years after completing the program.

Psychology, General

Recent graduates80
Median earnings$40,673

Natural Resources Conservation and Research

Recent graduates59
Median earnings$46,518

English Language and Literature, General

Recent graduates48
Median earnings$33,714

Business Administration, Management and Operations

Recent graduates47
Median earnings$56,479

Biology, General

Recent graduates42
Median earnings$47,302

What is campus life like?

University of North Carolina Asheville beyond the classroom

The campus sits close to downtown Asheville and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Students can combine a compact campus with hiking, arts, music, nonprofits and the region’s outdoor economy.

Academics

A defining academic feature

The curriculum emphasizes broad liberal learning, close faculty contact and undergraduate research across sciences, humanities, social sciences and creative fields. Research and creative activity are accessible early and often culminate in student presentations.

Campus setting

What shapes an ordinary week

The campus sits close to downtown Asheville and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Students can combine a compact campus with hiking, arts, music, nonprofits and the region’s outdoor economy.

Distinctive edge

What changes the experience

Faculty-mentored undergraduate research is a defining feature across disciplines rather than an opportunity reserved mostly for advanced STEM students.

2,910 undergraduatesSoutheasturban settingCampus housing available