Rutgers University-Newark vs. WCU

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

 Rutgers University-Newark WCU
Location Newark, NJ Cullowhee, NC
Setting Large City Distant Town
Enrollment 11,017 11,635
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #181 #763
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website rutgers.edu wcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Rutgers University-Newark WCU
Tuition (In State) $12,900 $1,000
Tuition (Out of State) $30,600 $5,000
Room & Board $14,343 $11,173
Avg Net Price $16,578 $13,022
Avg Grant Aid $13,168 $4,526
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 99%

Admission

 Rutgers University-Newark WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 14,935 17,917
Admitted 11,043 15,201
Acceptance Rate 73.9% 84.8%
Enrolled % 11.2% 12.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.23 3.44
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/28 19/26
SAT Range 1030/1270 1020/1240
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Mar 1, 2024

Academics

 Rutgers University-Newark WCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (36%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

 Rutgers University-Newark WCU
Graduation Rate 68% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $66,200 $39,100
Making Student Loan Payments 68% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,215 $22,010
Median Loan Payment $229 $227

Diversity

 Rutgers University-Newark WCU
% Men 47% 41%
% Women 53% 59%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 25% 79%
% Black 19% 6%
% Hispanic 27% 6%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

 Rutgers University-Newark WCU
% In-State 93% 80%
% Out-of-State 2% 18%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Carolina University is larger than than Rutgers University-Newark based on total student enrollment (11,635 students vs. 11,017 students)

Rutgers University-Newark vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rutgers University-Newark or WCU?

  • Rutgers University Newark is 1,190% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($12,900.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 512% higher at Rutgers University-Newark than Western Carolina University ($30,600.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than Rutgers University-Newark ($13,022 vs. $16,578)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 28.4% lower than costs at Rutgers University Newark ($11,173 vs. $14,343)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Carolina University than Rutgers University Newark (99% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rutgers University Newark students is 190.9% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($13,168 vs. $4,526)

Rutgers University-Newark vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Carolina University (1032) is 2 points higher than at Rutgers University-Newark (1030)
  • Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at Rutgers University-Newark (3.23)
  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Rutgers University-Newark (73.9%)

Rutgers University-Newark vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Rutgers University-Newark 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 Rutgers University-Newark.

  • The graduation rate at Rutgers University-Newark is higher than Western Carolina University (68% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from Rutgers University Newark earn on average $27,100 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($66,200 vs. $39,100)
  • Western Carolina University students graduate with a $205 lower median federal student loan debt than Rutgers University-Newark graduates. ($22,010 vs. $22,215)
  • WCU graduates are paying $2 less per month on federal student loans 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/