Guilford College vs. WCU

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

Guilford College
Western Carolina University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Guilford College (80% admitted vs 81.8%). Typical SAT 1190 vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: WCU. Average net price is $13,767 vs $22,270 at Guilford College.
  • Graduation: Guilford College 60% vs WCU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Guilford College $40,300 vs WCU $39,100 (median).
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Key differences

Guilford College Western Carolina University
Acceptance rate
Guilford College more selective
Guilford College80%
WCU81.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WCU higher
Guilford College1120-1260
WCU1080-1270
Average net price
WCU $8,503 less
Guilford College$22,270
WCU$13,767
In-state tuition
WCU $36,732 less
Guilford College$41,362
WCU$4,630
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $32,732 less
Guilford College$41,362
WCU$8,630
Graduation rate
Guilford College +10 pts
Guilford College60%
WCU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
Guilford College +$1,200
Guilford College$40,300
WCU$39,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Guilford College 4,204
  • WCU 19,742
  • Admitted
  • Guilford College 3,363
  • WCU 16,154
  • Acceptance rate
  • Guilford College 80%
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Guilford College 10.1%
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Guilford College 1190
  • WCU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • Guilford College 21
  • WCU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • Guilford College 3.14
  • WCU 3.44
  • Typical high school grades
  • Guilford College B
  • WCU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Guilford College Moderate
  • WCU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • Guilford College
  • WCU
  • SAT range
  • Guilford College 1120-1260
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • ACT range
  • Guilford College 18-24
  • WCU 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • Guilford College Test optional
  • WCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Guilford College
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Guilford College $41,362
  • WCU $4,630
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Guilford College $41,362
  • WCU $8,630
  • Room & board
  • Guilford College $13,400
  • WCU $12,354
  • Average net price
  • Guilford College $22,270
  • WCU $13,767
  • Average grant aid
  • Guilford College $33,419
  • WCU $5,993
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Guilford College 100%
  • WCU 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • Guilford College 60%
  • WCU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Guilford College $40,300
  • WCU $39,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Guilford College 51%
  • WCU 58%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Guilford College $26,635
  • WCU $22,010
  • Median loan payment
  • Guilford College $275
  • WCU $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Guilford College 12:1
  • WCU 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • Guilford College
    • Business (22%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (9%)
    • Biology (8%)
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Location
  • Guilford College Greensboro, NC
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Setting
  • Guilford College Large City
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Guilford College 1,180
  • WCU 11,686
  • Type
  • Guilford College Private 4 Year
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Guilford College #658
  • WCU #698

Comparable Facts

Compare Guilford College in Greensboro, 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 Guilford College based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 1,180 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Guilford College is located in Greensboro, NC (Large City setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
  • Guilford College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Guilford College 12:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 7.8% lower than at Guilford College ($12,354 vs. $13,400).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 379.3% higher at Guilford College than at Western Carolina University (about $32,732 more per year; $41,362 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Guilford College than at Western Carolina University (100% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Guilford College students is 457.6% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($33,419 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at WCU than at Guilford College (22 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Guilford College and WCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WCU average a 3.44 high school GPA, 0.3 higher than at Guilford College (3.14).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.1% at Guilford College vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $4,625 lower median loan debt than Guilford College graduates ($22,010 vs. $26,635).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Guilford College graduates ($227 vs. $275).
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Guilford College students, three years after graduation (58% vs. 51%).

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

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