NC State vs. WCU

North Carolina State University at Raleigh and Western Carolina University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Western Carolina University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: NC State (41.7% admitted vs 81.8%). Typical SAT 1390 vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: WCU. Average net price is $13,767 vs $15,522 at NC State.
  • Graduation: NC State 72% vs WCU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: NC State $57,200 vs WCU $39,100 (median).
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Key differences

North Carolina State University at Raleigh Western Carolina University
Acceptance rate
NC State more selective
NC State41.7%
WCU81.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
NC State higher
NC State1300-1470
WCU1080-1270
Average net price
WCU $1,755 less
NC State$15,522
WCU$13,767
In-state tuition
WCU $4,169 less
NC State$8,799
WCU$4,630
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $24,217 less
NC State$32,847
WCU$8,630
Graduation rate
NC State +22 pts
NC State72%
WCU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
NC State +$18,100
NC State$57,200
WCU$39,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • NC State 44,047
  • WCU 19,742
  • Admitted
  • NC State 18,385
  • WCU 16,154
  • Acceptance rate
  • NC State 41.7%
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • NC State 31.8%
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • NC State 1390
  • WCU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • NC State 30
  • WCU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • NC State 3.83
  • WCU 3.44
  • Typical high school grades
  • NC State A-
  • WCU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • NC State Very High
  • WCU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • NC State Low
  • WCU
  • SAT range
  • NC State 1300-1470
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • ACT range
  • NC State 28-32
  • WCU 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • NC State Test optional
  • WCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • NC State Jan 15, 2027
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • NC State $8,799
  • WCU $4,630
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • NC State $32,847
  • WCU $8,630
  • Room & board
  • NC State $14,332
  • WCU $12,354
  • Average net price
  • NC State $15,522
  • WCU $13,767
  • Average grant aid
  • NC State $11,675
  • WCU $5,993
  • % receiving grant aid
  • NC State 51%
  • WCU 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • NC State 72%
  • WCU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • NC State $57,200
  • WCU $39,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • NC State 76%
  • WCU 58%
  • Median student loan debt
  • NC State $20,782
  • WCU $22,010
  • Median loan payment
  • NC State $214
  • WCU $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • NC State 15:1
  • WCU 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • NC State
    • Engineering (22%)
    • Business (13%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Agriculture (9%)
    • Social Sciences (5%)
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Location
  • NC State Raleigh, NC
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Setting
  • NC State Large City
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • NC State 38,464
  • WCU 11,686
  • Type
  • NC State Public 4 Year
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • NC State #124
  • WCU #698

Comparable Facts

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

North Carolina State University at Raleigh is larger than WCU based on total student enrollment (38,464 students vs. 11,686 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • North Carolina State University at Raleigh is located in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
  • North Carolina State University at Raleigh 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 State University at Raleigh 15:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 13.8% lower than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($12,354 vs. $14,332).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 280.6% higher at NC State than at Western Carolina University (about $24,217 more per year; $32,847 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Carolina University than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (81% vs. 51%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students is 94.8% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($11,675 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 8 points higher at NC State than at WCU (30 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both NC State and WCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: NC State Jan 15, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at NC State average a 3.83 high school GPA, 0.39 higher than at WCU (3.44).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.8% at NC State vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, North Carolina State University at Raleigh graduates have a $1,228 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($20,782 vs. $22,010).
  • Among borrowers, NC State graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($214 vs. $227).
  • More NC State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation (76% 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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