GS vs. WCU

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

Georgia Southern University
Western Carolina University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: WCU (81.8% admitted vs 87.9%). Typical SAT 1180 vs 1060.
  • Cheaper after aid: WCU. Average net price is $13,767 vs $15,971 at GS.
  • Graduation: GS 47% vs WCU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: GS $44,800 vs WCU $39,100 (median).
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Key differences

Georgia Southern University Western Carolina University
Acceptance rate
WCU more selective
GS87.9%
WCU81.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WCU higher
GS986-1133
WCU1080-1270
Average net price
WCU $2,204 less
GS$15,971
WCU$13,767
In-state tuition
WCU $1,392 less
GS$6,022
WCU$4,630
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $9,104 less
GS$17,734
WCU$8,630
Graduation rate
WCU +3 pts
GS47%
WCU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
GS +$5,700
GS$44,800
WCU$39,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

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  • Applied
  • GS 20,840
  • WCU 19,742
  • Admitted
  • GS 18,317
  • WCU 16,154
  • Acceptance rate
  • GS 87.9%
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • GS 28.2%
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • GS 1060
  • WCU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • GS 20
  • WCU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • GS 3.36
  • WCU 3.44
  • Typical high school grades
  • GS B+
  • WCU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • GS Extremely Easy
  • WCU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • GS
  • WCU
  • SAT range
  • GS 986-1133
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • ACT range
  • GS 18-23
  • WCU 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • GS Required
  • WCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • GS May 1, 2027
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • GS $6,022
  • WCU $4,630
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • GS $17,734
  • WCU $8,630
  • Room & board
  • GS $11,492
  • WCU $12,354
  • Average net price
  • GS $15,971
  • WCU $13,767
  • Average grant aid
  • GS $8,994
  • WCU $5,993
  • % receiving grant aid
  • GS 90%
  • WCU 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • GS 47%
  • WCU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • GS $44,800
  • WCU $39,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • GS 52%
  • WCU 58%
  • Median student loan debt
  • GS $23,000
  • WCU $22,010
  • Median loan payment
  • GS $237
  • WCU $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • GS 25:1
  • WCU 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • GS
    • Business (24%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Engineering Technology (7%)
    • Health Professions (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
  • GS Statesboro, GA
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Setting
  • GS Remote Town
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • GS 27,423
  • WCU 11,686
  • Type
  • GS Public 4 Year
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • GS #957
  • WCU #698

Comparable Facts

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

Georgia Southern University is larger than WCU based on total student enrollment (27,423 students vs. 11,686 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Georgia Southern University is located in Statesboro, GA (Remote Town setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
  • Georgia Southern University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Georgia Southern University 25:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Georgia Southern University are 7% lower than at Western Carolina University ($11,492 vs. $12,354).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 105.5% higher at GS than at Western Carolina University (about $9,104 more per year; $17,734 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Georgia Southern University than at Western Carolina University (90% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Georgia Southern University students is 50.1% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($8,994 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at WCU than at GS (22 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are required at GS, test optional at WCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: GS May 1, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WCU average a 3.44 high school GPA, 0.08 higher than at GS (3.36).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.2% at GS vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $990 lower median loan debt than GS graduates ($22,010 vs. $23,000).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than GS graduates ($227 vs. $237).
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GS students, three years after graduation (58% vs. 52%).

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

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