Faulkner vs. WCU

Should I go to Faulkner University or Western Carolina University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Faulkner or WCU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

ECU ASU UNC Charlotte UNCW University of North Carolina at Asheville ETSU UNCG NC State UNC Chapel Hill University of North Carolina at Pembroke BYU GS
Faulkner University vs. Western Carolina University comparison
Faulkner University Western Carolina University College 3 College 4
Faulkner University Western Carolina University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 Faulkner WCU
Location Montgomery, AL Cullowhee, NC
Setting Midsize City Distant Town
Enrollment 2,817 11,635
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #865 #763
Religious Affiliation Churches of Christ - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website faulkner.edu wcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Faulkner WCU
Tuition (In State) $21,930 $1,000
Tuition (Out of State) $21,930 $5,000
Room & Board $8,020 $11,173
Avg Net Price $20,050 $13,022
Avg Grant Aid $16,238 $4,526
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 99%

Admission

 Faulkner WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,728 17,917
Admitted 1,424 15,201
Acceptance Rate 82.4% 84.8%
Enrolled % 16.7% 12.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.36 3.44
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/24 19/26
SAT Range 950/1130 1020/1240
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Mar 1, 2024

Academics

 Faulkner WCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (73%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Education (3%)
  • Psychology (2%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (1%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

 Faulkner WCU
Graduation Rate 33% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,500 $39,100
Making Student Loan Payments 30% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,750 $22,010
Median Loan Payment $224 $227

Diversity

 Faulkner WCU
% Men 41% 41%
% Women 59% 59%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 40% 79%
% Black 51% 6%
% Hispanic 2% 6%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

 Faulkner WCU
% In-State 68% 80%
% Out-of-State 26% 18%

Campus

 Faulkner WCU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Western Carolina University is larger than than Faulkner based on total student enrollment (11,635 students vs. 2,817 students)

Faulkner vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Faulkner or WCU?

  • Faulkner University is 2,093% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($21,930.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 338.6% higher at Faulkner than Western Carolina University ($21,930.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than Faulkner ($13,022 vs. $20,050)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Faulkner University are 39.3% lower than costs at Western Carolina University ($8,020 vs. $11,173)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Carolina University than Faulkner University (99% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Faulkner University students is 258.8% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($16,238 vs. $4,526)

Faulkner vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Faulkner or WCU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between WCU or Faulkner .

  • The average SAT score at Western Carolina University (1032) is 47 points higher than at Faulkner (985)
  • Incoming WCU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Faulkner (21)
  • Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at Faulkner (3.36)
  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Faulkner (82.4%)

Faulkner vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Faulkner or WCU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between WCU and Faulkner.

  • The graduation rate at WCU is higher than Faulkner University (50% vs. 33%)
  • Graduates from Faulkner University earn on average $2,400 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($41,500 vs. $39,100)
  • Faulkner University students graduate with a $260 lower median federal student loan debt than WCU graduates. ($21,750 vs. $22,010)
  • Faulkner graduates are paying $3 less per month on federal student loans than WCU graduates. ($224 vs. $227)
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Faulkner students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 30%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/