Nicholls State University vs. WCU

Should I go to Nicholls State University or Western Carolina University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Nicholls State 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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Nicholls State University vs. Western Carolina University comparison
Nicholls State University Western Carolina University College 3 College 4
Nicholls State University Western Carolina University
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Overview

 Nicholls State University WCU
Location Thibodaux, LA Cullowhee, NC
Setting Small City Distant Town
Enrollment 5,883 11,635
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #910 #763
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nicholls.edu wcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Nicholls State University WCU
Tuition (In State) $4,922 $1,000
Tuition (Out of State) $6,015 $5,000
Room & Board $10,602 $11,173
Avg Net Price $12,365 $13,022
Avg Grant Aid $9,310 $4,526
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

 Nicholls State University WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,289 17,917
Admitted 2,253 15,201
Acceptance Rate 98.4% 84.8%
Enrolled % 43.1% 12.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.34 3.44
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/24 19/26
SAT Range 938/1130 1020/1240
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Mar 1, 2024

Academics

 Nicholls State University WCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (19%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Personal and Culinary Services (7%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

 Nicholls State University WCU
Graduation Rate 38% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,600 $39,100
Making Student Loan Payments 51% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,848 $22,010
Median Loan Payment $205 $227

Diversity

 Nicholls State University WCU
% Men 35% 41%
% Women 65% 59%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 68% 79%
% Black 20% 6%
% Hispanic 3% 6%
% Native American 2% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

 Nicholls State University WCU
% In-State 92% 80%
% Out-of-State 6% 18%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Carolina University is larger than than Nicholls State University based on total student enrollment (11,635 students vs. 5,883 students)

Nicholls State University vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Nicholls State University or WCU?

  • Nicholls State University is 392.2% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($4,922.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 20.3% higher at Nicholls State University than Western Carolina University ($6,015.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Nicholls State University than WCU ($12,365 vs. $13,022)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Nicholls State University are 5.4% lower than costs at Western Carolina University ($10,602 vs. $11,173)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Nicholls State University than Western Carolina University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Nicholls State University students is 105.7% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($9,310 vs. $4,526)

Nicholls State University vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Carolina University (1032) is 2 points higher than at Nicholls State University (1030)
  • Incoming Nicholls State University students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at WCU (22)
  • Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at Nicholls State University (3.34)
  • Nicholls State University has a higher acceptance rate (98.4%) than WCU (84.8%)

Nicholls State University vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Nicholls State 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 Nicholls State University.

  • The graduation rate at WCU is higher than Nicholls State University (50% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from Nicholls State University earn on average $3,500 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($42,600 vs. $39,100)
  • Nicholls State University students graduate with a $2,162 lower median federal student loan debt than WCU graduates. ($19,848 vs. $22,010)
  • Nicholls State University graduates are paying $22 less per month on federal student loans than WCU graduates. ($205 vs. $227)
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Nicholls State University students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 51%)

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