Ogelthorpe vs. WCU

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

Oglethorpe University
Western Carolina University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: WCU (81.8% admitted vs 88.4%). Typical SAT 1180 vs 1200.
  • Cheaper after aid: WCU. Average net price is $13,767 vs $20,490 at Ogelthorpe.
  • Graduation: Ogelthorpe 48% vs WCU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Ogelthorpe $49,800 vs WCU $39,100 (median).
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Key differences

Oglethorpe University Western Carolina University
Acceptance rate
WCU more selective
Ogelthorpe88.4%
WCU81.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Ogelthorpe higher
Ogelthorpe1090-1310
WCU1080-1270
Average net price
WCU $6,723 less
Ogelthorpe$20,490
WCU$13,767
In-state tuition
WCU $42,960 less
Ogelthorpe$47,590
WCU$4,630
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $38,960 less
Ogelthorpe$47,590
WCU$8,630
Graduation rate
WCU +2 pts
Ogelthorpe48%
WCU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
Ogelthorpe +$10,700
Ogelthorpe$49,800
WCU$39,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Ogelthorpe 2,216
  • WCU 19,742
  • Admitted
  • Ogelthorpe 1,960
  • WCU 16,154
  • Acceptance rate
  • Ogelthorpe 88.4%
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Ogelthorpe 17.9%
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Ogelthorpe 1200
  • WCU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • Ogelthorpe 26
  • WCU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • Ogelthorpe 3.73
  • WCU 3.44
  • Typical high school grades
  • Ogelthorpe A-
  • WCU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Ogelthorpe Difficult
  • WCU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • Ogelthorpe
  • WCU
  • SAT range
  • Ogelthorpe 1090-1310
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • ACT range
  • Ogelthorpe 22-31
  • WCU 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • Ogelthorpe Test optional
  • WCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Ogelthorpe Jul 15, 2027
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Ogelthorpe $47,590
  • WCU $4,630
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Ogelthorpe $47,590
  • WCU $8,630
  • Room & board
  • Ogelthorpe $15,780
  • WCU $12,354
  • Average net price
  • Ogelthorpe $20,490
  • WCU $13,767
  • Average grant aid
  • Ogelthorpe $39,054
  • WCU $5,993
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Ogelthorpe 100%
  • WCU 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • Ogelthorpe 48%
  • WCU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Ogelthorpe $49,800
  • WCU $39,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Ogelthorpe 53%
  • WCU 58%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Ogelthorpe $27,000
  • WCU $22,010
  • Median loan payment
  • Ogelthorpe $279
  • WCU $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Ogelthorpe 13:1
  • WCU 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • Ogelthorpe
    • Business (25%)
    • English and Literature (21%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • History (7%)
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Location
  • Ogelthorpe Atlanta, GA
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Setting
  • Ogelthorpe Large Suburban
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Ogelthorpe 1,425
  • WCU 11,686
  • Type
  • Ogelthorpe Private 4 Year
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Ogelthorpe #679
  • WCU #698

Comparable Facts

Compare Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, GA 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 Ogelthorpe based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 1,425 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Oglethorpe University is located in Atlanta, GA (Large Suburban setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
  • Oglethorpe University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Oglethorpe University 13:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 21.7% lower than at Oglethorpe University ($12,354 vs. $15,780).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 451.4% higher at Ogelthorpe than at Western Carolina University (about $38,960 more per year; $47,590 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oglethorpe University than at Western Carolina University (100% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Oglethorpe University students is 551.7% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($39,054 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Ogelthorpe than at WCU (26 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Ogelthorpe and WCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Ogelthorpe Jul 15, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Ogelthorpe average a 3.73 high school GPA, 0.29 higher than at WCU (3.44).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at Ogelthorpe 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 Ogelthorpe graduates ($22,010 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ogelthorpe graduates ($227 vs. $279).
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ogelthorpe students, three years after graduation (58% vs. 53%).

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

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