NCAT vs. WCU

North Carolina A & T State University and Western Carolina University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

North Carolina A & T State University
Western Carolina University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: NCAT (49.9% admitted vs 81.8%). Typical SAT 1110 vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: NCAT. Average net price is $10,097 vs $13,767 at WCU.
  • Graduation: NCAT 41% vs WCU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: NCAT $38,100 vs WCU $39,100 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

North Carolina A & T State University Western Carolina University
Acceptance rate
NCAT more selective
NCAT49.9%
WCU81.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WCU higher
NCAT1020-1190
WCU1080-1270
Average net price
NCAT $3,670 less
NCAT$10,097
WCU$13,767
In-state tuition
WCU $2,183 less
NCAT$6,813
WCU$4,630
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $12,043 less
NCAT$20,673
WCU$8,630
Graduation rate
WCU +9 pts
NCAT41%
WCU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
WCU +$1,000
NCAT$38,100
WCU$39,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at NCAT and WCU with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at NCAT Check my chances at WCU
  • Applied
  • NCAT 36,496
  • WCU 19,742
  • Admitted
  • NCAT 18,212
  • WCU 16,154
  • Acceptance rate
  • NCAT 49.9%
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • NCAT 15%
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • NCAT 1110
  • WCU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • NCAT 20
  • WCU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • NCAT 3.61
  • WCU 3.44
  • Typical high school grades
  • NCAT A-
  • WCU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • NCAT Very Easy
  • WCU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • NCAT Low
  • WCU
  • SAT range
  • NCAT 1020-1190
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • ACT range
  • NCAT 17-23
  • WCU 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • NCAT Test optional
  • WCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • NCAT Jun 1, 2027
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • NCAT $6,813
  • WCU $4,630
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • NCAT $20,673
  • WCU $8,630
  • Room & board
  • NCAT $8,832
  • WCU $12,354
  • Average net price
  • NCAT $10,097
  • WCU $13,767
  • Average grant aid
  • NCAT $10,203
  • WCU $5,993
  • % receiving grant aid
  • NCAT 82%
  • WCU 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • NCAT 41%
  • WCU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • NCAT $38,100
  • WCU $39,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • NCAT 27%
  • WCU 58%
  • Median student loan debt
  • NCAT $29,000
  • WCU $22,010
  • Median loan payment
  • NCAT $299
  • WCU $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • NCAT 20:1
  • WCU 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • NCAT
    • Business (15%)
    • Engineering (13%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)
    • Engineering Technology (6%)
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Location
  • NCAT Greensboro, NC
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Setting
  • NCAT Large City
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • NCAT 14,311
  • WCU 11,686
  • Type
  • NCAT Public 4 Year
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • NCAT #956
  • WCU #698

Comparable Facts

Compare North Carolina A & T State University in Greensboro, NC with Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

North Carolina A & T State University is larger than WCU based on total student enrollment (14,311 students vs. 11,686 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • North Carolina A & T State University is located in Greensboro, NC (Large City setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
  • North Carolina A & T State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: North Carolina A & T State University 20:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Carolina A & T State University are 28.5% lower than at Western Carolina University ($8,832 vs. $12,354).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 139.5% higher at NCAT than at Western Carolina University (about $12,043 more per year; $20,673 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at North Carolina A & T State University than at Western Carolina University (82% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by North Carolina A & T State University students is 70.2% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($10,203 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at WCU than at NCAT (22 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both NCAT and WCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: NCAT Jun 1, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at NCAT average a 3.61 high school GPA, 0.17 higher than at WCU (3.44).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15% at NCAT vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $6,990 lower median loan debt than NCAT graduates ($22,010 vs. $29,000).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NCAT graduates ($227 vs. $299).
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NCAT students, three years after graduation (58% vs. 27%).

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

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

North Carolina A & T State University
Western Carolina University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges