St. Cloud State University vs. WCU

Saint Cloud State University and Western Carolina University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Saint Cloud State University
Western Carolina University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: WCU (81.8% admitted vs 94.8%). Typical SAT 1180 vs 1140.
  • Cheaper after aid: WCU. Average net price is $13,767 vs $14,735 at St. Cloud State University.
  • Graduation: St. Cloud State University 48% vs WCU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: St. Cloud State University $46,700 vs WCU $39,100 (median).
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Key differences

Saint Cloud State University Western Carolina University
Acceptance rate
WCU more selective
St. Cloud State University94.8%
WCU81.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WCU higher
St. Cloud State University1025-1260
WCU1080-1270
Average net price
WCU $968 less
St. Cloud State University$14,735
WCU$13,767
In-state tuition
WCU $5,615 less
St. Cloud State University$10,245
WCU$4,630
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $1,615 less
St. Cloud State University$10,245
WCU$8,630
Graduation rate
WCU +2 pts
St. Cloud State University48%
WCU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
St. Cloud State University +$7,600
St. Cloud State University$46,700
WCU$39,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • St. Cloud State University 5,976
  • WCU 19,742
  • Admitted
  • St. Cloud State University 5,665
  • WCU 16,154
  • Acceptance rate
  • St. Cloud State University 94.8%
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • St. Cloud State University 16.6%
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • St. Cloud State University 1140
  • WCU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • St. Cloud State University 21
  • WCU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • St. Cloud State University 3.4
  • WCU 3.44
  • Typical high school grades
  • St. Cloud State University B+
  • WCU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • St. Cloud State University Moderate
  • WCU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • St. Cloud State University
  • WCU
  • SAT range
  • St. Cloud State University 1025-1260
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • ACT range
  • St. Cloud State University 17-25
  • WCU 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • St. Cloud State University Test optional
  • WCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • St. Cloud State University Aug 15, 2027
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • St. Cloud State University $10,245
  • WCU $4,630
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • St. Cloud State University $10,245
  • WCU $8,630
  • Room & board
  • St. Cloud State University $10,596
  • WCU $12,354
  • Average net price
  • St. Cloud State University $14,735
  • WCU $13,767
  • Average grant aid
  • St. Cloud State University $7,036
  • WCU $5,993
  • % receiving grant aid
  • St. Cloud State University 84%
  • WCU 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • St. Cloud State University 48%
  • WCU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • St. Cloud State University $46,700
  • WCU $39,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • St. Cloud State University 67%
  • WCU 58%
  • Median student loan debt
  • St. Cloud State University $22,500
  • WCU $22,010
  • Median loan payment
  • St. Cloud State University $232
  • WCU $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • St. Cloud State University 18:1
  • WCU 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • St. Cloud State University
    • Business (27%)
    • Education (13%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Psychology (6%)
    • Social Sciences (5%)
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Location
  • St. Cloud State University Saint Cloud, MN
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Setting
  • St. Cloud State University Small City
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • St. Cloud State University 10,732
  • WCU 11,686
  • Type
  • St. Cloud State University Public 4 Year
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • St. Cloud State University #704
  • WCU #698

Comparable Facts

Compare Saint Cloud State University in Saint Cloud, MN 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 St. Cloud State University based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 10,732 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Saint Cloud State University is located in Saint Cloud, MN (Small City setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
  • Saint Cloud State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Saint Cloud State University 18:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Cloud State University are 14.2% lower than at Western Carolina University ($10,596 vs. $12,354).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 18.7% higher at St. Cloud State University than at Western Carolina University (about $1,615 more per year; $10,245 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Cloud State University than at Western Carolina University (84% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Cloud State University students is 17.4% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($7,036 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at WCU than at St. Cloud State University (22 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both St. Cloud State University and WCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: St. Cloud State University Aug 15, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WCU average a 3.44 high school GPA, 0.04 higher than at St. Cloud State University (3.4).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.6% at St. Cloud State University vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $490 lower median loan debt than St. Cloud State University graduates ($22,010 vs. $22,500).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Cloud State University graduates ($227 vs. $232).
  • More St. Cloud State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation (67% vs. 58%).

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

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