Jacksonville State University vs. WCU

Jacksonville State University and Western Carolina University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Jacksonville State University
Western Carolina University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Jacksonville State University (77.7% admitted vs 81.8%). Typical SAT 1150 vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $14,221 at Jacksonville State University vs $13,767 at WCU. Jacksonville State University in-state tuition is about $8,264 more per year.
  • Graduation: Jacksonville State University 32% vs WCU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Jacksonville State University $37,000 vs WCU $39,100 (median).
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Key differences

Jacksonville State University Western Carolina University
Acceptance rate
Jacksonville State University more selective
Jacksonville State University77.7%
WCU81.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Jacksonville State University higher
Jacksonville State University1000-1290
WCU1080-1270
Average net price
About even
Jacksonville State University$14,221
WCU$13,767
In-state tuition
WCU $8,264 less
Jacksonville State University$12,894
WCU$4,630
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $14,704 less
Jacksonville State University$23,334
WCU$8,630
Graduation rate
WCU +18 pts
Jacksonville State University32%
WCU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
WCU +$2,100
Jacksonville State University$37,000
WCU$39,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Jacksonville State University 11,199
  • WCU 19,742
  • Admitted
  • Jacksonville State University 8,701
  • WCU 16,154
  • Acceptance rate
  • Jacksonville State University 77.7%
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Jacksonville State University 20%
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Jacksonville State University 1150
  • WCU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • Jacksonville State University 20
  • WCU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • Jacksonville State University 3.43
  • WCU 3.44
  • Typical high school grades
  • Jacksonville State University B+
  • WCU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Jacksonville State University Moderate
  • WCU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • Jacksonville State University
  • WCU
  • SAT range
  • Jacksonville State University 1000-1290
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • ACT range
  • Jacksonville State University 17-24
  • WCU 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • Jacksonville State University Test optional
  • WCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Jacksonville State University
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Jacksonville State University $12,894
  • WCU $4,630
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Jacksonville State University $23,334
  • WCU $8,630
  • Room & board
  • Jacksonville State University $9,524
  • WCU $12,354
  • Average net price
  • Jacksonville State University $14,221
  • WCU $13,767
  • Average grant aid
  • Jacksonville State University $9,925
  • WCU $5,993
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Jacksonville State University 100%
  • WCU 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • Jacksonville State University 32%
  • WCU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Jacksonville State University $37,000
  • WCU $39,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Jacksonville State University 39%
  • WCU 58%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Jacksonville State University $23,250
  • WCU $22,010
  • Median loan payment
  • Jacksonville State University $240
  • WCU $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Jacksonville State University 19:1
  • WCU 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • Jacksonville State University
    • Health Professions (19%)
    • Education (16%)
    • Business (13%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
    • Human Services (6%)
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Location
  • Jacksonville State University Jacksonville, AL
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Setting
  • Jacksonville State University Small Suburban
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Jacksonville State University 9,955
  • WCU 11,686
  • Type
  • Jacksonville State University Public 4 Year
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Jacksonville State University #888
  • WCU #698

Comparable Facts

Compare Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, AL 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 Jacksonville State University based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 9,955 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Jacksonville State University is located in Jacksonville, AL (Small Suburban setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
  • Jacksonville State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Jacksonville State University 19:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Jacksonville State University are 22.9% lower than at Western Carolina University ($9,524 vs. $12,354).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 170.4% higher at Jacksonville State University than at Western Carolina University (about $14,704 more per year; $23,334 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Jacksonville State University than at Western Carolina University (100% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Jacksonville State University students is 65.6% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($9,925 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at WCU than at Jacksonville State University (22 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Jacksonville State University and WCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WCU average a 3.44 high school GPA, 0.01 higher than at Jacksonville State University (3.43).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20% at Jacksonville State University vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $1,240 lower median loan debt than Jacksonville State University graduates ($22,010 vs. $23,250).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Jacksonville State University graduates ($227 vs. $240).
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Jacksonville State University students, three years after graduation (58% vs. 39%).

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

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