Elon vs. WCU

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

Elon University
Western Carolina University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Elon (66.3% admitted vs 81.8%). Typical SAT 1210 vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: WCU. Average net price is $13,767 vs $44,440 at Elon.
  • Graduation: Elon 82% vs WCU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Elon $56,200 vs WCU $39,100 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Elon University Western Carolina University
Acceptance rate
Elon more selective
Elon66.3%
WCU81.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Elon higher
Elon1130-1280
WCU1080-1270
Average net price
WCU $30,673 less
Elon$44,440
WCU$13,767
In-state tuition
WCU $42,328 less
Elon$46,958
WCU$4,630
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $38,328 less
Elon$46,958
WCU$8,630
Graduation rate
Elon +32 pts
Elon82%
WCU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
Elon +$17,100
Elon$56,200
WCU$39,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Elon and WCU with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Elon Check my chances at WCU
  • Applied
  • Elon 18,105
  • WCU 19,742
  • Admitted
  • Elon 12,012
  • WCU 16,154
  • Acceptance rate
  • Elon 66.3%
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Elon 13.4%
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Elon 1210
  • WCU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • Elon 25
  • WCU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • Elon 3.65
  • WCU 3.44
  • Typical high school grades
  • Elon A-
  • WCU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Elon Challenging
  • WCU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • Elon Low
  • WCU
  • SAT range
  • Elon 1130-1280
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • ACT range
  • Elon 23-28
  • WCU 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • Elon Test optional
  • WCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Elon Jan 10, 2027
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Elon $46,958
  • WCU $4,630
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Elon $46,958
  • WCU $8,630
  • Room & board
  • Elon $14,985
  • WCU $12,354
  • Average net price
  • Elon $44,440
  • WCU $13,767
  • Average grant aid
  • Elon $17,867
  • WCU $5,993
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Elon 77%
  • WCU 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • Elon 82%
  • WCU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Elon $56,200
  • WCU $39,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Elon 86%
  • WCU 58%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Elon $23,250
  • WCU $22,010
  • Median loan payment
  • Elon $240
  • WCU $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Elon 11:1
  • WCU 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • Elon
    • Business (22%)
    • Communication (19%)
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Location
  • Elon Elon, NC
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Setting
  • Elon Small Suburban
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Elon 7,239
  • WCU 11,686
  • Type
  • Elon Private 4 Year
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Elon #140
  • WCU #698

Comparable Facts

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

Western Carolina University is larger than Elon based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 7,239 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Elon University is located in Elon, NC (Small Suburban setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
  • Elon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Elon University 11:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 17.6% lower than at Elon University ($12,354 vs. $14,985).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 444.1% higher at Elon than at Western Carolina University (about $38,328 more per year; $46,958 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Carolina University than at Elon University (81% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Elon University students is 198.1% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($17,867 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Elon than at WCU (25 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Elon and WCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Elon Jan 10, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Elon average a 3.65 high school GPA, 0.21 higher than at WCU (3.44).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at Elon vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $1,240 lower median loan debt than Elon graduates ($22,010 vs. $23,250).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Elon graduates ($227 vs. $240).
  • More Elon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation (86% vs. 58%).

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

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Elon University
Western Carolina University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges