Staten Island vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare College of Staten Island CUNY in Staten Island, NY with Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Carolina University is larger than Staten Island based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 11,033 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of Staten Island CUNY is located in Staten Island, NY (Large City setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
• College of Staten Island CUNY is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Staten Island CUNY 17:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Staten Island vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Staten Island or WCU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at College of Staten Island CUNY than WCU ($6,525 vs. $13,767).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 41.6% lower than at College of Staten Island CUNY ($12,354 vs. $21,155).
• College of Staten Island CUNY is 61.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $2,860 more per year; $7,490.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 78.9% higher at Staten Island than at Western Carolina University (about $6,810 more per year; $15,440.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Carolina University than at College of Staten Island CUNY (81% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Staten Island CUNY students is 42.3% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($8,526 vs. $5,993).

Staten Island vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Staten Island or WCU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WCU and Staten Island.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Carolina University (1180) is 110 points higher than at Staten Island (1070).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Staten Island CUNY 890/1250; Western Carolina University 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestern Carolina University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Staten Island - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at Staten Island (3.0).
• Staten Island has a higher acceptance rate (92.3%) than WCU (81.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17% at Staten Island vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Staten Island vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Staten Island and WCU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Western Carolina University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than College of Staten Island CUNY's (48%).
• Graduates from College of Staten Island CUNY earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,100 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Staten Island CUNY graduates have a $8,023 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($13,987 vs. $22,010).
• Among borrowers, Staten Island graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($144 vs. $227).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Staten Island students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 49%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.