University of North Carolina at Asheville
Asheville, North Carolina
As North Carolina’s designated public liberal arts and sciences university, UNC Asheville dares to connect curiosity and critical thinking, courage and challenge, imagination and impact, opportunity and responsibility.
UNC Asheville founded the National Conference on Undergraduate Research, giving each of its 3,600 undergraduate students the chance to conduct graduate-quality research alongside faculty mentors. In fact, students and faculty worked together to engineer the largest public art installation ever shown in Times Square.
UNC Asheville offers an education that’s affordable and endlessly relevant, connecting students to a warm community in the beautiful mountain town of Asheville, one of America’s great small cities, with an artist’s eye and an explorer’s heart.
Get to know University of North Carolina at Asheville
College Highlights
COMMON THOUGHT, COMMON EXPERIENCES
Connections between Academic Affairs and Student Affairs strengthens the student experience with event series tailored to student interest. Students start their UNC Asheville experience with a shared summer reading program, which invites all incoming first-year students to read the same book over the summer. The book is then discussed during orientation, integrated in some of the first-year experience courses, and then further discussed with the author of the book themselves.
Throughout the academic year, thought leaders visit campus offering public lectures and master classes to connect with students on their interests and illuminate current events.
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
More than 70% of students at UNC Asheville complete undergraduate research or creative capstone projects, making their education truly experiential. They work closely with faculty experts and industry professionals, often graduating after presenting their work nationally or internationally and publishing their projects.
Founded more than 30 years ago, the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) lets students showcase their work and learn from their peers. Many scholars also present at national conferences, publish their work, and graduate with the ‘University Research Scholar’ designation.
UNC Asheville also succeeds in securing grant funding for research projects, with more than $2 million from the National Science Foundation as well as recent grants from the Mellon Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Geographic, and many more. Thanks to these resources, students and faculty are easily able to work together and pursue their curiosities.
CLASS SIZE
The number of sections of each class size.
2-9: 102 | 10-19: 277 | 20-29: 277
30-39: 52 | 40-49: 8 | 50-99: 8 | 100+: 0
ENROLLMENT BY ETHNICITY
Non-U.S. Citizen: 0%
Hispanic/Latinx: 5%
Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 3%
White, non-Hispanic: 38%
Native/Indigenous American or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: 0%
Asian, non-Hispanic: 1%
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic: 0%
Two or more races, non-Hispanic: 2%
Race and/or ethnicity unknown: 2%
EMBARK ORIENTATION
During EmBark Orientation, students are introduced to academic advising, UNC Asheville’s curriculum, course registration processes, campus resources, and much more. Students have the opportunity to meet with the professional advisors as well as faculty advisors in their intended major. Each EmBark session is packed with activities as well as opportunities to meet other new students. Upperclassmen work as Blue Crew Orientation Leaders to help connect new students and help them find their niche.
CORE CURRICULUM
UNC Asheville’s Liberal Arts Core comprises a set of courses designed to expose students to a range of subjects and ideas along with the ability to apply that knowledge to their own major. What’s more, all of UNC Asheville’s classes are taught by faculty (not teaching assistants), and classes are small, typically fewer than 20 students.
Students round out their education with a first-year seminar; academic writing and critical inquiry; laboratory science and scientific perspectives; quantitative perspectives; social science; second language; arts and ideas; senior capstone; and diversity-intensive study. This “Diversity Intensive” requirement can be fulfilled by completion of the students’ choice of more than 100 courses offered.
UNC Asheville’s 12-credit Humanities sequence, founded more than 50 years ago, is a hallmark of the liberal arts and sciences experience. Adapting to the ever-changing world, this sequence continues to evolve and inspire every year.
FIRST-YEAR ACADEMICS
The academic component of the First-Year Experience consists of three courses from the Liberal Arts Core: the First-Year Seminar (FYS 178), the core course on academic writing and critical inquiry (LANG 120), and the first course in the Humanities course sequence (HUM 124). In addition to the disciplinary content of each course, they all address matters related to the students’ transition from high school to college students, including time management, finding an academic path that aligns with their values and goals, and learning about the various resources on campus.
SPECIAL STUDY OPTIONS
Programs available at this institution.
Cooperative education program
Cross-registration
Distance learning
Double major
Dual enrollment
Honors Program
Independent study
Internships
Student-designed major
Study abroad
Teacher certification program
COMMUNITY-ENGAGED LEARNING
The Key Center for Community-Engaged Learning helps organize and connect students to service-learning courses as well as one-time and ongoing opportunities to help the surrounding community. Just a couple examples include:
- Asheville City Schools Foundation (ACSF) Partnership, which offers collaborative opportunities that connect the university with local schools. UNC Asheville students can get involved in hands-on opportunities to serve and inspire K-12 students to achieve success and engage in applied research opportunities with Asheville City Schools teachers, administrators, students, and families.
- Community-Engaged Scholar program, one of five academic recognitions available to graduating students at UNC Asheville. This honor provides the opportunity for students to become deeply involved in community-based research in Asheville and Western North Carolina (and receive recognition for their efforts!). Community-Engaged Scholars complete six or more service-learning credit hours and complete a project to directly respond to needs identified by a local non-profit agency.
LIVING-LEARNING COMMUNITIES
Students can also engage in community from the comfort of their residence halls, with Living-Learning Communities (LLCs) offering students the opportunity to engage in an intentional community experience with like-minded individuals. Students involved in LLC’s will have the chance to live, study, and participate in programming that is specifically based on their joint interests. Additionally, all participants of an LLC will share in a curricular connection with their hall mates, which may include, but is not limited to, a joint class or workshop series. Focuses include first-generation students, computer science and atmospheric science, engineering, social responsibility, transfer students, study abroad, first-year transition, and SANKOFA.
- Gen 1 LLC
- The Cloud – Computer Science & Atmospheric Science LLC
- Engineering Living-Learning Community (ELLC)
- L.E.A.D. – Community Engagement & Social Responsibility LLC
- T.L.C – Transfer Living Community
- UNC Athens to Rome LLC
- THRIVE: First-Year Transition LLC
- SANKOFA LLC
SANKOFA, an LLC for first-generation students of color, invites students to explore and advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. All community members take an Africana Studies course and continue to meet regularly to discuss social justice and advocacy.
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
UNC Asheville has four Greek Organizations, all of which are geared toward philanthropic and social justice causes. The campus does not have sorority or fraternity houses on campus, but the sense of camaraderie continues to thrive among the brothers and sisters.
Outside of Greek Life, more than 70 student organizations give students the opportunity to experience their education more thoroughly as well as discover new passions. Some of the most popular include UNCA Out; Blue Echo Radio; Racial Justice Alliance; Psychology Club; Student Government Association; Student Environmental Center; ACE; HOLA; American Meteorological Society; Prospanica; and Political Science Club.
SCHOOL LOCATION
UNC Asheville is situated in one of the most vibrant cities in the Southeast. With a population of 87,000 in the city and 391,000 in nearby metro areas, Asheville offers an inviting downtown, exciting outdoor adventures, a thriving arts community, and an array of eclectic dining opportunities.
BULLDOG ATHLETICS
UNC Asheville’s NCAA Division I Athletics Program provides its more than 270 student-athletes across 16 NCAA Division I sports with opportunities to pursue their academic, athletic, and lifelong goals as champions and leaders in life. The Bulldogs are part of the Big South Conference and sport Bulldog Blue and White as their primary colors.
RESIDENCE LIFE
Percent of students living on campus.
First-time, first-year (freshman) students: 96%
Undergraduates: 46%
Campus housing options.
Coed dorms
Apartments for single students
Special housing for students with disabilities
Special housing for international students
Theme housing
Wellness housing
Quiet floors
Living-learning communities
Year-round housing
INTERNSHIPS
A little over 50% of UNC Asheville graduates report completing at least one internship during their time at UNC Asheville each year. At any given time, the University has over 2,000 active internship listings across the United States, so all students, regardless of major, have a vast selection to explore.
CAREER CENTER
The UNC Asheville Career Center believes that identity development IS career development. With this in mind, the University continues to develop career modules for all students in the classroom, beginning with a helpful module in most first-year seminar introductory courses. The Career Center offers over 80 presentations a semester, which faculty regularly use to integrate career development into their curriculum. Such topics cover identity development, self-reflection, meaningful decision-making, and goal-setting, along with traditional career topics like résumé and cover letter writing, personal statements, and the job search in general.
Admission
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Applications for early decision are due Jan. 15, with a regular decision application deadline of Feb. 1. Early Decision gives priority consideration to students who are certain that UNC Asheville is their first-choice university. All students—whether choosing Early or Regular Decision—are encouraged to submit their application early.
ADMISSIONS FACTORS
Very Important
Rigor of secondary school record | Class rank | Academic GPA
Standardized test scores | Application Essay | Recommendation(s)
Important
Extracurricular activities | Talent/ability | Character/personal qualities
Considered
First generation | Alumni/ae relation | Geographical residence | State residency
Racial/ethnic status | Volunteer work | Work experience | Level of applicant’s interest
FRESHMAN PROFILE
SAT Composite
25th Percentile: 1100 | 75th Percentile: 1250
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
25th Percentile: 560 | 75th Percentile: 650
SAT Math
25th Percentile: 530 | 75th Percentile: 620
ACT Composite
25th Percentile: 22 | 75th Percentile: 27
ACT Math
25th Percentile: 19 | 75th Percentile: 26
ACT English
25th Percentile: 21 | 75th Percentile: 28
Tuition & Cost
Tuition (in-state): $4,122
Tuition (out-of-state): $21,470
Fees: $3,122
Room: $5,610
Board: $4,340
Aid
Students can be nominated for numerous scholarships based on merit and demonstrated need.
UNC Asheville applicants may also be eligible for a $1,000 award, renewable each year, if they are nominated by UNC Asheville alumni. Alumni can learn more and submit their nomination at the Alumni Referral Scholarship portal.
Applicants may also be nominated by their school counselor for UNC Asheville’s prestigious University Scholars Program, including the McRae Scholarship, which awards $10,000 in scholarship support each year for four years. McRae Scholars also receive an additional $10,000 during their four years at UNC Asheville to support study abroad, undergraduate research, and internships, all of which hallmarks of the original liberal arts and sciences education at UNC Asheville. This scholarship is available for both in-state and out-of-state students.
What Others are Saying
Contact University of North Carolina at Asheville
Contact Admissions
unca.edu/admission/why-unc-asheville
1 (800) 531-9842
admissions@unca.edu
Campus Location
1 University Heights
Asheville, NC 28804
(828) 251-6600