Campus Visit: UNC Asheville

I had the opportunity to visit UNC Asheville last weekend and was surprised that this public university felt so much like a small private college. The campus is located a short distance from the vibrant, artsy downtown. When I toured on a beautiful Friday afternoon, students could be seen playing catch and lounging on the quad while others had set up a crafting stand outside the student union. The UNC Asheville Men’s Basketball team made it to the NCAA tournament this year and has a strong following on campus, which was apparent from the posters still hanging around campus. Music played outdoors as I walked from the student union to the residence halls and athletic fields located just off the quad of academic and performing arts buildings. Housing options include suites, doubles, and single rooms (a rare find!).

The student body was much more diverse than I expected. When I asked a student to describe the general feel of the student body, they said Bulldogs are mostly creative, open-minded, tolerant, and tend to lean politically liberal. Students take full advantage of the music scene in downtown Asheville and the incredible hiking around the Blue Ridge Mountains.  

All 3,600 UNC Asheville undergraduate students have the opportunity to conduct masters level research in the liberal arts and sciences. The most popular majors are Psychology, Mass Communications & Media Studies, and Environmental Science; however, walking around campus, it is obvious that visual and performing arts are a huge part of campus life. Classes are small, with an average of 20 students in most lectures and under 18 in labs. The liberal arts curriculum includes several required courses in various disciplines and a senior capstone project. What kind of student should consider UNC Asheville? An intellectually curious student looking to surround themself with open-minded, laid back peers. UNCA is not a party school in the traditional sense, so I see a student who is more comfortable socializing in smaller groups, spending time outdoors, or exploring the small city. The food scene in Asheville is amazing- foodies will love it! The overall cost of attendance for out-of-state students is $38,579, making UNC Asheville a remarkable deal for a strong liberal arts degree. https://www.unca.edu/

What kind of student should consider UNC Asheville? An intellectually curious student looking to surround themself with open-minded, laid back peers. UNCA is not a party school in the traditional sense, so I see a student who is more comfortable socializing in smaller groups, spending time outdoors, or exploring the small city. The food scene in Asheville is amazing- foodies will love it! The overall cost of attendance for out-of-state students is $38,579, making UNC Asheville a remarkable deal for a strong liberal arts degree. https://www.unca.edu/

Reach out if you have any questions about UNC Asheville or any other colleges: meghan@jenkinscollegecoaching.com.