HPU vs. WCU

High Point University and Western Carolina University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

High Point University
Western Carolina University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: HPU (75.3% admitted vs 81.8%). Typical SAT 1220 vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: WCU. Average net price is $13,767 vs $43,086 at HPU.
  • Earnings 10 years out: HPU $42,000 vs WCU $39,100 (median).
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Key differences

High Point University Western Carolina University
Acceptance rate
HPU more selective
HPU75.3%
WCU81.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
HPU higher
HPU1110-1320
WCU1080-1270
Average net price
WCU $29,319 less
HPU$43,086
WCU$13,767
In-state tuition
WCU $40,682 less
HPU$45,312
WCU$4,630
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $36,682 less
HPU$45,312
WCU$8,630
Graduation rate
WCU +50 pts
HPU-
WCU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
HPU +$2,900
HPU$42,000
WCU$39,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • HPU 17,572
  • WCU 19,742
  • Admitted
  • HPU 13,233
  • WCU 16,154
  • Acceptance rate
  • HPU 75.3%
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • HPU 11.5%
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • HPU 1220
  • WCU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • HPU 28
  • WCU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • HPU 3.4
  • WCU 3.44
  • Typical high school grades
  • HPU B+
  • WCU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • HPU Difficult
  • WCU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • HPU
  • WCU
  • SAT range
  • HPU 1110-1320
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • ACT range
  • HPU 24-33
  • WCU 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • HPU Test optional
  • WCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • HPU Mar 1, 2027
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • HPU $45,312
  • WCU $4,630
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • HPU $45,312
  • WCU $8,630
  • Room & board
  • HPU $18,924
  • WCU $12,354
  • Average net price
  • HPU $43,086
  • WCU $13,767
  • Average grant aid
  • HPU $22,664
  • WCU $5,993
  • % receiving grant aid
  • HPU 95%
  • WCU 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • HPU -
  • WCU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • HPU $42,000
  • WCU $39,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • HPU 69%
  • WCU 58%
  • Median student loan debt
  • HPU $22,421
  • WCU $22,010
  • Median loan payment
  • HPU $231
  • WCU $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • HPU 21:1
  • WCU 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • HPU
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Location
  • HPU High Point, NC
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Setting
  • HPU Midsize City
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • HPU 6,331
  • WCU 11,686
  • Type
  • HPU Private 4 Year
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • HPU
  • WCU #698

Comparable Facts

Compare High Point University in High Point, 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 HPU based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 6,331 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • High Point University is located in High Point, NC (Midsize City setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
  • High Point University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: High Point University 21:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 34.7% lower than at High Point University ($12,354 vs. $18,924).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 425.1% higher at HPU than at Western Carolina University (about $36,682 more per year; $45,312 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at High Point University than at Western Carolina University (95% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by High Point University students is 278.2% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($22,664 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 6 points higher at HPU than at WCU (28 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both HPU and WCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: HPU Mar 1, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WCU average a 3.44 high school GPA, 0.04 higher than at HPU (3.4).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at HPU vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $411 lower median loan debt than HPU graduates ($22,010 vs. $22,421).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HPU graduates ($227 vs. $231).
  • More HPU 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.

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