IUPUI vs. WCU

Indiana University Indianapolis and Western Carolina University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Indiana University Indianapolis
Western Carolina University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: IUPUI (76.4% admitted vs 81.8%). Typical SAT 1140 vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: IUPUI. Average net price is $12,228 vs $13,767 at WCU.
  • Graduation: IUPUI 33% vs WCU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: IUPUI $48,600 vs WCU $39,100 (median).
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Key differences

Indiana University Indianapolis Western Carolina University
Acceptance rate
IUPUI more selective
IUPUI76.4%
WCU81.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WCU higher
IUPUI1030-1240
WCU1080-1270
Average net price
IUPUI $1,539 less
IUPUI$12,228
WCU$13,767
In-state tuition
WCU $6,132 less
IUPUI$10,762
WCU$4,630
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $26,261 less
IUPUI$34,891
WCU$8,630
Graduation rate
WCU +17 pts
IUPUI33%
WCU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
IUPUI +$9,500
IUPUI$48,600
WCU$39,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • IUPUI 15,643
  • WCU 19,742
  • Admitted
  • IUPUI 11,947
  • WCU 16,154
  • Acceptance rate
  • IUPUI 76.4%
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • IUPUI 24.6%
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • IUPUI 1140
  • WCU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • IUPUI 25
  • WCU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • IUPUI 3.52
  • WCU 3.44
  • Typical high school grades
  • IUPUI A-
  • WCU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • IUPUI Average
  • WCU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • IUPUI
  • WCU
  • SAT range
  • IUPUI 1030-1240
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • ACT range
  • IUPUI 21-29
  • WCU 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • IUPUI Test optional
  • WCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • IUPUI May 15, 2027
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • IUPUI $10,762
  • WCU $4,630
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • IUPUI $34,891
  • WCU $8,630
  • Room & board
  • IUPUI $13,308
  • WCU $12,354
  • Average net price
  • IUPUI $12,228
  • WCU $13,767
  • Average grant aid
  • IUPUI $11,104
  • WCU $5,993
  • % receiving grant aid
  • IUPUI 82%
  • WCU 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • IUPUI 33%
  • WCU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • IUPUI $48,600
  • WCU $39,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • IUPUI 53%
  • WCU 58%
  • Median student loan debt
  • IUPUI $23,090
  • WCU $22,010
  • Median loan payment
  • IUPUI $238
  • WCU $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • IUPUI 13:1
  • WCU 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • IUPUI
    • Health Professions (18%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (13%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Engineering Technology (5%)
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Location
  • IUPUI Indianapolis, IN
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Setting
  • IUPUI Large City
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • IUPUI 22,534
  • WCU 11,686
  • Type
  • IUPUI Public 4 Year
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • IUPUI #409
  • WCU #698

Comparable Facts

Compare Indiana University Indianapolis in Indianapolis, IN with Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Indiana University Indianapolis is larger than WCU based on total student enrollment (22,534 students vs. 11,686 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Indiana University Indianapolis is located in Indianapolis, IN (Large City setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
  • Indiana University Indianapolis is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Indiana University Indianapolis 13:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 7.2% lower than at Indiana University Indianapolis ($12,354 vs. $13,308).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 304.3% higher at IUPUI than at Western Carolina University (about $26,261 more per year; $34,891 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Indiana University Indianapolis than at Western Carolina University (82% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Indiana University Indianapolis students is 85.3% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($11,104 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at IUPUI than at WCU (25 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both IUPUI and WCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: IUPUI May 15, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at IUPUI average a 3.52 high school GPA, 0.08 higher than at WCU (3.44).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.6% at IUPUI vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $1,080 lower median loan debt than IUPUI graduates ($22,010 vs. $23,090).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IUPUI graduates ($227 vs. $238).
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IUPUI students, three years after graduation (58% vs. 53%).

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

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