Montreat College vs. WCU

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

Montreat College
Western Carolina University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Montreat College (69.2% admitted vs 81.8%). Typical SAT 1130 vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: WCU. Average net price is $13,767 vs $28,112 at Montreat College.
  • Graduation: Montreat College 35% vs WCU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Montreat College $40,900 vs WCU $39,100 (median).
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Key differences

Montreat College Western Carolina University
Acceptance rate
Montreat College more selective
Montreat College69.2%
WCU81.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WCU higher
Montreat College1030-1220
WCU1080-1270
Average net price
WCU $14,345 less
Montreat College$28,112
WCU$13,767
In-state tuition
WCU $31,820 less
Montreat College$36,450
WCU$4,630
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $27,820 less
Montreat College$36,450
WCU$8,630
Graduation rate
WCU +15 pts
Montreat College35%
WCU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
Montreat College +$1,800
Montreat College$40,900
WCU$39,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Montreat College 1,740
  • WCU 19,742
  • Admitted
  • Montreat College 1,204
  • WCU 16,154
  • Acceptance rate
  • Montreat College 69.2%
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Montreat College 17.9%
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Montreat College 1130
  • WCU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • Montreat College 24
  • WCU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • Montreat College 3.07
  • WCU 3.44
  • Typical high school grades
  • Montreat College B
  • WCU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Montreat College Average
  • WCU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • Montreat College Low
  • WCU
  • SAT range
  • Montreat College 1030-1220
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • ACT range
  • Montreat College 21-28
  • WCU 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • Montreat College Test-free
  • WCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Montreat College
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Montreat College $36,450
  • WCU $4,630
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Montreat College $36,450
  • WCU $8,630
  • Room & board
  • Montreat College $11,890
  • WCU $12,354
  • Average net price
  • Montreat College $28,112
  • WCU $13,767
  • Average grant aid
  • Montreat College $18,992
  • WCU $5,993
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Montreat College 94%
  • WCU 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • Montreat College 35%
  • WCU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Montreat College $40,900
  • WCU $39,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Montreat College 55%
  • WCU 58%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Montreat College $25,000
  • WCU $22,010
  • Median loan payment
  • Montreat College $258
  • WCU $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Montreat College 11:1
  • WCU 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • Montreat College
    • Business (65%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
    • Education (5%)
    • Natural Resources Conservation (5%)
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies (4%)
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Location
  • Montreat College Montreat, NC
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Setting
  • Montreat College Midsize Suburban
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Montreat College 962
  • WCU 11,686
  • Type
  • Montreat College Private 4 Year
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Montreat College
  • WCU #698

Comparable Facts

Compare Montreat College in Montreat, 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 Montreat College based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 962 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Montreat College are 3.8% lower than at Western Carolina University ($11,890 vs. $12,354).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 322.4% higher at Montreat College than at Western Carolina University (about $27,820 more per year; $36,450 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Montreat College than at Western Carolina University (94% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Montreat College students is 216.9% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($18,992 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Montreat College than at WCU (24 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Montreat College, test optional at WCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WCU average a 3.44 high school GPA, 0.37 higher than at Montreat College (3.07).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at Montreat College vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $2,990 lower median loan debt than Montreat College graduates ($22,010 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Montreat College graduates ($227 vs. $258).
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Montreat College students, three years after graduation (58% vs. 55%).

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

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