Methodist vs. WCU

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

Methodist University
Western Carolina University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Methodist (75.1% admitted vs 81.8%). Typical SAT 1170 vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: WCU. Average net price is $13,767 vs $26,334 at Methodist.
  • Graduation: Methodist 39% vs WCU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Methodist $43,700 vs WCU $39,100 (median).
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Key differences

Methodist University Western Carolina University
Acceptance rate
Methodist more selective
Methodist75.1%
WCU81.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WCU higher
Methodist1080-1250
WCU1080-1270
Average net price
WCU $12,567 less
Methodist$26,334
WCU$13,767
In-state tuition
WCU $36,620 less
Methodist$41,250
WCU$4,630
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $32,620 less
Methodist$41,250
WCU$8,630
Graduation rate
WCU +11 pts
Methodist39%
WCU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
Methodist +$4,600
Methodist$43,700
WCU$39,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

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  • Applied
  • Methodist 2,743
  • WCU 19,742
  • Admitted
  • Methodist 2,061
  • WCU 16,154
  • Acceptance rate
  • Methodist 75.1%
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Methodist 15.3%
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Methodist 1170
  • WCU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • Methodist 24
  • WCU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • Methodist 3.58
  • WCU 3.44
  • Typical high school grades
  • Methodist A-
  • WCU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Methodist Average
  • WCU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • Methodist
  • WCU
  • SAT range
  • Methodist 1080-1250
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • ACT range
  • Methodist 22-27
  • WCU 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • Methodist Test optional
  • WCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Methodist
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Methodist $41,250
  • WCU $4,630
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Methodist $41,250
  • WCU $8,630
  • Room & board
  • Methodist $14,250
  • WCU $12,354
  • Average net price
  • Methodist $26,334
  • WCU $13,767
  • Average grant aid
  • Methodist $29,476
  • WCU $5,993
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Methodist 100%
  • WCU 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • Methodist 39%
  • WCU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Methodist $43,700
  • WCU $39,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Methodist 49%
  • WCU 58%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Methodist $27,000
  • WCU $22,010
  • Median loan payment
  • Methodist $279
  • WCU $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Methodist 11:1
  • WCU 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • Methodist
    • Business (41%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Location
  • Methodist Fayetteville, NC
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Setting
  • Methodist Midsize City
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Methodist 1,822
  • WCU 11,686
  • Type
  • Methodist Private 4 Year
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Methodist #701
  • WCU #698

Comparable Facts

Compare Methodist University in Fayetteville, 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 Methodist based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 1,822 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Methodist University is located in Fayetteville, NC (Midsize City setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
  • Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Methodist University 11:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 13.3% lower than at Methodist University ($12,354 vs. $14,250).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 378% higher at Methodist than at Western Carolina University (about $32,620 more per year; $41,250 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Methodist University than at Western Carolina University (100% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Methodist University students is 391.8% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($29,476 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Methodist than at WCU (24 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Methodist and WCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Methodist average a 3.58 high school GPA, 0.14 higher than at WCU (3.44).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at Methodist vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $4,990 lower median loan debt than Methodist graduates ($22,010 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Methodist graduates ($227 vs. $279).
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Methodist students, three years after graduation (58% vs. 49%).

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

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