Meredith vs. WCU

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

Meredith College
Western Carolina University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Meredith (74.2% admitted vs 81.8%). Typical SAT 1220 vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: WCU. Average net price is $13,767 vs $24,323 at Meredith.
  • Graduation: Meredith 59% vs WCU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Meredith $40,000 vs WCU $39,100 (median).
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Key differences

Meredith College Western Carolina University
Acceptance rate
Meredith more selective
Meredith74.2%
WCU81.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Meredith higher
Meredith1098-1348
WCU1080-1270
Average net price
WCU $10,556 less
Meredith$24,323
WCU$13,767
In-state tuition
WCU $41,000 less
Meredith$45,630
WCU$4,630
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $37,000 less
Meredith$45,630
WCU$8,630
Graduation rate
Meredith +9 pts
Meredith59%
WCU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
Meredith +$900
Meredith$40,000
WCU$39,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Meredith 1,983
  • WCU 19,742
  • Admitted
  • Meredith 1,471
  • WCU 16,154
  • Acceptance rate
  • Meredith 74.2%
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Meredith 18.5%
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Meredith 1220
  • WCU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • Meredith 26
  • WCU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • Meredith 3.52
  • WCU 3.44
  • Typical high school grades
  • Meredith A-
  • WCU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Meredith Difficult
  • WCU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • Meredith Low
  • WCU
  • SAT range
  • Meredith 1098-1348
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • ACT range
  • Meredith 23-29
  • WCU 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • Meredith Test optional
  • WCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Meredith Feb 15, 2027
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Meredith $45,630
  • WCU $4,630
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Meredith $45,630
  • WCU $8,630
  • Room & board
  • Meredith $13,280
  • WCU $12,354
  • Average net price
  • Meredith $24,323
  • WCU $13,767
  • Average grant aid
  • Meredith $33,116
  • WCU $5,993
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Meredith 100%
  • WCU 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • Meredith 59%
  • WCU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Meredith $40,000
  • WCU $39,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Meredith 65%
  • WCU 58%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Meredith $26,000
  • WCU $22,010
  • Median loan payment
  • Meredith $268
  • WCU $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Meredith 10:1
  • WCU 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • Meredith
    • Visual and Performing Arts (18%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Work and Family Studies (10%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Location
  • Meredith Raleigh, NC
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Setting
  • Meredith Large City
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Meredith 1,465
  • WCU 11,686
  • Type
  • Meredith Private 4 Year
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Meredith #368
  • WCU #698

Comparable Facts

Compare Meredith College in Raleigh, 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 Meredith based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 1,465 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Meredith College is located in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
  • Meredith College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Meredith College 10:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 7% lower than at Meredith College ($12,354 vs. $13,280).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 428.7% higher at Meredith than at Western Carolina University (about $37,000 more per year; $45,630 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Meredith College than at Western Carolina University (100% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Meredith College students is 452.6% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($33,116 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Meredith than at WCU (26 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Meredith and WCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Meredith Feb 15, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Meredith average a 3.52 high school GPA, 0.08 higher than at WCU (3.44).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.5% at Meredith vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $3,990 lower median loan debt than Meredith graduates ($22,010 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Meredith graduates ($227 vs. $268).
  • More Meredith graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation (65% 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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