ASU vs. WCU

Appalachian State University and Western Carolina University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Appalachian State University
Western Carolina University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: WCU (81.8% admitted vs 90.1%). Typical SAT 1180 vs 1200.
  • Cheaper after aid: WCU. Average net price is $13,767 vs $14,978 at ASU.
  • Graduation: ASU 65% vs WCU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: ASU $41,600 vs WCU $39,100 (median).
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Key differences

Appalachian State University Western Carolina University
Acceptance rate
WCU more selective
ASU90.1%
WCU81.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
ASU higher
ASU1120-1280
WCU1080-1270
Average net price
WCU $1,211 less
ASU$14,978
WCU$13,767
In-state tuition
WCU $2,949 less
ASU$7,579
WCU$4,630
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $16,582 less
ASU$25,212
WCU$8,630
Graduation rate
ASU +15 pts
ASU65%
WCU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
ASU +$2,500
ASU$41,600
WCU$39,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • ASU 24,614
  • WCU 19,742
  • Admitted
  • ASU 22,188
  • WCU 16,154
  • Acceptance rate
  • ASU 90.1%
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • ASU 18.2%
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • ASU 1200
  • WCU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • ASU 24
  • WCU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • ASU 3.96
  • WCU 3.44
  • Typical high school grades
  • ASU A
  • WCU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • ASU Average
  • WCU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • ASU
  • WCU
  • SAT range
  • ASU 1120-1280
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • ACT range
  • ASU 21-27
  • WCU 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • ASU Test optional
  • WCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • ASU Feb 1, 2027
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • ASU $7,579
  • WCU $4,630
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • ASU $25,212
  • WCU $8,630
  • Room & board
  • ASU $12,868
  • WCU $12,354
  • Average net price
  • ASU $14,978
  • WCU $13,767
  • Average grant aid
  • ASU $8,014
  • WCU $5,993
  • % receiving grant aid
  • ASU 46%
  • WCU 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • ASU 65%
  • WCU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • ASU $41,600
  • WCU $39,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • ASU 74%
  • WCU 58%
  • Median student loan debt
  • ASU $20,500
  • WCU $22,010
  • Median loan payment
  • ASU $211
  • WCU $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • ASU 16:1
  • WCU 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • ASU
    • Business (20%)
    • Education (17%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Location
  • ASU Boone, NC
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Setting
  • ASU Distant Town
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • ASU 21,570
  • WCU 11,686
  • Type
  • ASU Public 4 Year
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • ASU #599
  • WCU #698

Comparable Facts

Compare Appalachian State University in Boone, NC with Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Appalachian State University is larger than WCU based on total student enrollment (21,570 students vs. 11,686 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Appalachian State University is located in Boone, NC (Distant Town setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
  • Appalachian State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Appalachian State University 16:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 4% lower than at Appalachian State University ($12,354 vs. $12,868).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 192.1% higher at ASU than at Western Carolina University (about $16,582 more per year; $25,212 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Carolina University than at Appalachian State University (81% vs. 46%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Appalachian State University students is 33.7% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($8,014 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at ASU than at WCU (24 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both ASU and WCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: ASU Feb 1, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at ASU average a 3.96 high school GPA, 0.52 higher than at WCU (3.44).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at ASU vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Appalachian State University graduates have a $1,510 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($20,500 vs. $22,010).
  • Among borrowers, ASU graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($211 vs. $227).
  • More ASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation (74% vs. 58%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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