Ogelthorpe vs. WCU

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

Ogelthorpe WCU
Location Atlanta, GA Cullowhee, NC
Setting Large Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 1,491 11,635
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #697 #763
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website oglethorpe.edu wcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Ogelthorpe WCU
Tuition (In State) $43,710 $1,000
Tuition (Out of State) $43,710 $5,000
Room & Board $14,400 $11,173
Avg Net Price $20,094 $13,022
Avg Grant Aid $36,867 $4,526
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

Ogelthorpe WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,816 17,917
Admitted 1,999 15,201
Acceptance Rate 71% 84.8%
Enrolled % 21.3% 12.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.73 3.44
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 22/29 19/26
SAT Range 1065/1305 1020/1240
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 15, 2024 Mar 1, 2024

Academics

Ogelthorpe WCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (25%)
  • English and Literature (21%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • History (7%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

Ogelthorpe WCU
Graduation Rate 48% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,800 $39,100
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $22,010
Median Loan Payment $279 $227

Diversity

Ogelthorpe WCU
% Men 37% 41%
% Women 63% 59%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 34% 79%
% Black 18% 6%
% Hispanic 10% 6%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 6% 1%
% Unknown Race 26% 1%

Students

Ogelthorpe WCU
% In-State 82% 80%
% Out-of-State 16% 18%

Campus

Ogelthorpe 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 Ogelthorpe based on total student enrollment (11,635 students vs. 1,491 students)

Ogelthorpe vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Ogelthorpe or WCU?

  • Oglethorpe University is 4,271% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($43,710.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 774.2% higher at Ogelthorpe than Western Carolina University ($43,710.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than Ogelthorpe ($13,022 vs. $20,094)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 28.9% lower than costs at Oglethorpe University ($11,173 vs. $14,400)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Oglethorpe University than Western Carolina University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Oglethorpe University students is 714.6% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($36,867 vs. $4,526)

Ogelthorpe vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Oglethorpe University (1140) is 108 points higher than at WCU (1032)
  • Incoming Ogelthorpe students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at WCU (22)
  • Accepted freshman Ogelthorpe students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at WCU (3.44)
  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Ogelthorpe (71%)

Ogelthorpe vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Ogelthorpe 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 Ogelthorpe.

  • The graduation rate at WCU is higher than Oglethorpe University (50% vs. 48%)
  • Graduates from Oglethorpe University earn on average $10,700 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($49,800 vs. $39,100)
  • Western Carolina University students graduate with a $4,990 lower median federal student loan debt than Ogelthorpe graduates. ($22,010 vs. $27,000)
  • WCU graduates are paying $52 less per month on federal student loans 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/