Fayetteville State University vs. WCU

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

Fayetteville State University
Western Carolina University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: WCU (81.8% admitted vs 82.1%). Typical SAT 1180 vs 990.
  • Cheaper after aid: Fayetteville State University. Average net price is $7,811 vs $13,767 at WCU.
  • Graduation: Fayetteville State University 31% vs WCU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Fayetteville State University $32,500 vs WCU $39,100 (median).
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Key differences

Fayetteville State University Western Carolina University
Acceptance rate
WCU more selective
Fayetteville State University82.1%
WCU81.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WCU higher
Fayetteville State University890-1090
WCU1080-1270
Average net price
Fayetteville State University $5,956 less
Fayetteville State University$7,811
WCU$13,767
In-state tuition
Fayetteville State University $277 less
Fayetteville State University$4,353
WCU$4,630
Out-of-state tuition
Fayetteville State University $277 less
Fayetteville State University$8,353
WCU$8,630
Graduation rate
WCU +19 pts
Fayetteville State University31%
WCU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
WCU +$6,600
Fayetteville State University$32,500
WCU$39,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Fayetteville State University 6,515
  • WCU 19,742
  • Admitted
  • Fayetteville State University 5,352
  • WCU 16,154
  • Acceptance rate
  • Fayetteville State University 82.1%
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Fayetteville State University 14.8%
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Fayetteville State University 990
  • WCU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • Fayetteville State University 17
  • WCU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • Fayetteville State University 3.11
  • WCU 3.44
  • Typical high school grades
  • Fayetteville State University B
  • WCU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Fayetteville State University Extremely Easy
  • WCU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • Fayetteville State University
  • WCU
  • SAT range
  • Fayetteville State University 890-1090
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • ACT range
  • Fayetteville State University 15-19
  • WCU 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • Fayetteville State University Test optional
  • WCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Fayetteville State University Aug 1, 2027
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Fayetteville State University $4,353
  • WCU $4,630
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Fayetteville State University $8,353
  • WCU $8,630
  • Room & board
  • Fayetteville State University $11,449
  • WCU $12,354
  • Average net price
  • Fayetteville State University $7,811
  • WCU $13,767
  • Average grant aid
  • Fayetteville State University $8,777
  • WCU $5,993
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Fayetteville State University 90%
  • WCU 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • Fayetteville State University 31%
  • WCU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Fayetteville State University $32,500
  • WCU $39,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Fayetteville State University 28%
  • WCU 58%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Fayetteville State University $22,161
  • WCU $22,010
  • Median loan payment
  • Fayetteville State University $229
  • WCU $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Fayetteville State University 20:1
  • WCU 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • Fayetteville State University
    • Business (20%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (18%)
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Psychology (14%)
    • Education (11%)
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Location
  • Fayetteville State University Fayetteville, NC
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Setting
  • Fayetteville State University Midsize City
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Fayetteville State University 7,107
  • WCU 11,686
  • Type
  • Fayetteville State University Public 4 Year
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Fayetteville State University #995
  • WCU #698

Comparable Facts

Compare Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville, 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 Fayetteville State University based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 7,107 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Fayetteville State University is located in Fayetteville, NC (Midsize City setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
  • Fayetteville 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: Fayetteville State University 20:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fayetteville State University are 7.3% lower than at Western Carolina University ($11,449 vs. $12,354).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3.3% higher at WCU than at Fayetteville State University (about $277 more per year; $8,630 vs. $8,353).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fayetteville State University than at Western Carolina University (90% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Fayetteville State University students is 46.5% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($8,777 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 5 points higher at WCU than at Fayetteville State University (22 vs. 17, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Fayetteville State University and WCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Fayetteville State University Aug 1, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WCU average a 3.44 high school GPA, 0.33 higher than at Fayetteville State University (3.11).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.8% at Fayetteville State University vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $151 lower median loan debt than Fayetteville State University graduates ($22,010 vs. $22,161).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fayetteville State University graduates ($227 vs. $229).
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fayetteville State University students, three years after graduation (58% vs. 28%).

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

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