Laurel University vs. WCU

Should I go to Laurel University or Western Carolina University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Laurel University or WCU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Laurel University vs. Western Carolina University comparison
Laurel University Western Carolina University College 3 College 4
Western Carolina University
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Overview

Laurel University WCU
Location High Point, NC Cullowhee, NC
Setting Midsize City Distant Town
Enrollment 158 11,635
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #763
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website laureluniversity.edu wcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Laurel University WCU
Tuition (In State) $10,500 $1,000
Tuition (Out of State) $10,500 $5,000
Room & Board $9,280 $11,173
Avg Net Price $19,269 $13,022
Avg Grant Aid $6,212 $4,526
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 99%

Admission

Laurel University WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied - 17,917
Admitted - 15,201
Acceptance Rate 84.8%
Enrolled % 12.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.16 3.44
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/26
SAT Range 1020/1240
Submit Test Scores Neither required nor recommended Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Mar 1, 2024

Academics

Laurel University WCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 0:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (88%)
  • Business (8%)
  • Education (2%)
  • Psychology (2%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

Laurel University WCU
Graduation Rate 60% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,900 $39,100
Making Student Loan Payments 39% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,969 $22,010
Median Loan Payment $289 $227

Diversity

Laurel University WCU
% Men 0% 41%
% Women 0% 59%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 41% 79%
% Black 33% 6%
% Hispanic 9% 6%
% Native American 8% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 5% 1%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

Laurel University WCU
% In-State - 80%
% Out-of-State - 18%

Campus

Laurel University WCU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan No Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Western Carolina University is larger than than Laurel University based on total student enrollment (11,635 students vs. 158 students)

Laurel University vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Laurel University or WCU?

  • Laurel University is 950% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($10,500.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 110% higher at Laurel University than Western Carolina University ($10,500.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than Laurel University ($13,022 vs. $19,269)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Laurel University are 20.4% lower than costs at Western Carolina University ($9,280 vs. $11,173)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Carolina University than Laurel University (99% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Laurel University students is 37.3% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($6,212 vs. $4,526)

Which college is harder to get into, Laurel University or WCU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between WCU or Laurel University .

  • The average SAT score at Western Carolina University (1032) is 138 points higher than at Laurel University (894)
  • Incoming WCU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Laurel University (21)
  • Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at Laurel University (3.16)

Laurel University vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Laurel University or WCU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between WCU and Laurel University.

  • The graduation rate at Laurel University is higher than Western Carolina University (60% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from Western Carolina University earn on average $200 more per year than Laurel University graduates after ten years. ($39,100 vs. $38,900)
  • Western Carolina University students graduate with a $5,959 lower median federal student loan debt than Laurel University graduates. ($22,010 vs. $27,969)
  • WCU graduates are paying $62 less per month on federal student loans than Laurel University graduates. ($227 vs. $289)
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Laurel University students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 39%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/