Hanover College vs. WCU

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

Hanover College
Western Carolina University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: WCU (81.8% admitted vs 83.7%). Typical SAT 1180 vs 1200.
  • Cheaper after aid: WCU. Average net price is $13,767 vs $23,683 at Hanover College.
  • Graduation: Hanover College 71% vs WCU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Hanover College $48,600 vs WCU $39,100 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Hanover College Western Carolina University
Acceptance rate
WCU more selective
Hanover College83.7%
WCU81.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Hanover College higher
Hanover College1110-1280
WCU1080-1270
Average net price
WCU $9,916 less
Hanover College$23,683
WCU$13,767
In-state tuition
WCU $40,008 less
Hanover College$44,638
WCU$4,630
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $36,008 less
Hanover College$44,638
WCU$8,630
Graduation rate
Hanover College +21 pts
Hanover College71%
WCU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
Hanover College +$9,500
Hanover College$48,600
WCU$39,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

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

Check my chances at Hanover College Check my chances at WCU
  • Applied
  • Hanover College 2,889
  • WCU 19,742
  • Admitted
  • Hanover College 2,418
  • WCU 16,154
  • Acceptance rate
  • Hanover College 83.7%
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Hanover College 14.4%
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Hanover College 1200
  • WCU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • Hanover College 26
  • WCU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • Hanover College 3.79
  • WCU 3.44
  • Typical high school grades
  • Hanover College A-
  • WCU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Hanover College Challenging
  • WCU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • Hanover College
  • WCU
  • SAT range
  • Hanover College 1110-1280
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • ACT range
  • Hanover College 23-29
  • WCU 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • Hanover College Test optional
  • WCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Hanover College
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Hanover College $44,638
  • WCU $4,630
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Hanover College $44,638
  • WCU $8,630
  • Room & board
  • Hanover College $14,123
  • WCU $12,354
  • Average net price
  • Hanover College $23,683
  • WCU $13,767
  • Average grant aid
  • Hanover College $35,263
  • WCU $5,993
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Hanover College 100%
  • WCU 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • Hanover College 71%
  • WCU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Hanover College $48,600
  • WCU $39,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Hanover College 69%
  • WCU 58%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Hanover College $27,000
  • WCU $22,010
  • Median loan payment
  • Hanover College $279
  • WCU $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Hanover College 11:1
  • WCU 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • Hanover College
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • English and Literature (9%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • History (9%)
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Location
  • Hanover College Hanover, IN
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Setting
  • Hanover College Rural Fringe
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Hanover College 1,243
  • WCU 11,686
  • Type
  • Hanover College Private 4 Year
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Hanover College #374
  • WCU #698

Comparable Facts

Compare Hanover College in Hanover, IN 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 Hanover College based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 1,243 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 12.5% lower than at Hanover College ($12,354 vs. $14,123).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 417.2% higher at Hanover College than at Western Carolina University (about $36,008 more per year; $44,638 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hanover College than at Western Carolina University (100% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Hanover College students is 488.4% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($35,263 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Hanover College than at WCU (26 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Hanover College and WCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Hanover College average a 3.79 high school GPA, 0.35 higher than at WCU (3.44).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.4% at Hanover College vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $4,990 lower median loan debt than Hanover College graduates ($22,010 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hanover College graduates ($227 vs. $279).
  • More Hanover College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation (69% 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.

Hanover College
Western Carolina University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges