Piedmont International University vs. WCU

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

 Piedmont International University WCU
Location Winston Salem, NC Cullowhee, NC
Setting Midsize City Distant Town
Enrollment 691 11,635
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #763
Religious Affiliation Baptist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website pbc.edu wcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Piedmont International University WCU
Tuition (In State) $8,850 $1,000
Tuition (Out of State) $8,850 $5,000
Room & Board $6,410 $11,173
Avg Net Price $15,119 $13,022
Avg Grant Aid $6,206 $4,526
% Receiving Grant Aid 84% 99%

Admission

 Piedmont International University WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 219 17,917
Admitted 53 15,201
Acceptance Rate 24.2%Open 84.8%
Enrolled % 77.4%Open 12.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.07 3.44
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Easy Average
Applicant Competition Very High
ACT Range 15/23 19/26
SAT Range 770/1230 1020/1240
Submit Test Scores Required Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Mar 1, 2024

Academics

 Piedmont International University WCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 0:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (60%)
  • Education (40%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

 Piedmont International University WCU
Graduation Rate 47% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $35,300 $39,100
Making Student Loan Payments 65% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $11,326 $22,010
Median Loan Payment $117 $227

Diversity

 Piedmont International University WCU
% Men 0% 41%
% Women 0% 59%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 77% 79%
% Black 16% 6%
% Hispanic 1% 6%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 3% 1%

Students

 Piedmont International University WCU
% In-State - 80%
% Out-of-State - 18%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Carolina University is larger than than Piedmont International University based on total student enrollment (11,635 students vs. 691 students)

Piedmont International University vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Piedmont International University or WCU?

  • Piedmont International University is 785% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($8,850.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 77% higher at Piedmont International University than Western Carolina University ($8,850.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than Piedmont International University ($13,022 vs. $15,119)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Piedmont International University are 74.3% lower than costs at Western Carolina University ($6,410 vs. $11,173)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Carolina University than Piedmont International University (99% vs. 84%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Piedmont International University students is 37.1% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($6,206 vs. $4,526)

Piedmont International University vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Carolina University (1032) is 134 points higher than at Piedmont International University (898)
  • Incoming WCU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Piedmont International University (19)
  • Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at Piedmont International University (3.07)
  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Piedmont International University (24.2%)

Piedmont International University vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Piedmont International 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 Piedmont International University.

  • The graduation rate at WCU is higher than Piedmont International University (50% vs. 47%)
  • Graduates from Western Carolina University earn on average $3,800 more per year than Piedmont International University graduates after ten years. ($39,100 vs. $35,300)
  • Piedmont International University students graduate with a $10,684 lower median federal student loan debt than WCU graduates. ($11,326 vs. $22,010)
  • Piedmont International University graduates are paying $110 less per month on federal student loans than WCU graduates. ($117 vs. $227)
  • More Piedmont International University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 58%)

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