Rutgers University-Newark vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Rutgers University Newark in Newark, NJ 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 Rutgers University-Newark based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 11,315 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rutgers University Newark is located in Newark, NJ (Large City setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Rutgers University Newark is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rutgers University Newark 14:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 23.1% lower than at Rutgers University Newark ($12,354 vs. $16,074).
• Out-of-state tuition is 326% higher at Rutgers University-Newark than at Western Carolina University (about $28,132 more per year; $36,762 vs. $8,630).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Carolina University than at Rutgers University Newark (81% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rutgers University Newark students is 190.4% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($17,405 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Rutgers University-Newark than at WCU (24 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Rutgers University-Newark, test optional at WCU.
• Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at WCU average a 3.44 high school GPA, 0.21 higher than at Rutgers University-Newark (3.23).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.1% at Rutgers University-Newark vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $205 lower median loan debt than Rutgers University-Newark graduates ($22,010 vs. $22,215).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rutgers University-Newark graduates ($227 vs. $229).
• More Rutgers University-Newark graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation (68% vs. 58%).

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