Samford University vs. WCU

Samford University and Western Carolina University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Samford University
Western Carolina University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: WCU (81.8% admitted vs 82.4%). Typical SAT 1180 vs 1160.
  • Cheaper after aid: WCU. Average net price is $13,767 vs $34,926 at Samford University.
  • Graduation: Samford University 70% vs WCU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Samford University $57,400 vs WCU $39,100 (median).
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Key differences

Samford University Western Carolina University
Acceptance rate
WCU more selective
Samford University82.4%
WCU81.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WCU higher
Samford University1070-1250
WCU1080-1270
Average net price
WCU $21,159 less
Samford University$34,926
WCU$13,767
In-state tuition
WCU $35,520 less
Samford University$40,150
WCU$4,630
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $31,520 less
Samford University$40,150
WCU$8,630
Graduation rate
Samford University +20 pts
Samford University70%
WCU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
Samford University +$18,300
Samford University$57,400
WCU$39,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Samford University 4,559
  • WCU 19,742
  • Admitted
  • Samford University 3,755
  • WCU 16,154
  • Acceptance rate
  • Samford University 82.4%
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Samford University 28.9%
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Samford University 1160
  • WCU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • Samford University 25
  • WCU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • Samford University 3.84
  • WCU 3.44
  • Typical high school grades
  • Samford University A-
  • WCU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Samford University Average
  • WCU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • Samford University
  • WCU
  • SAT range
  • Samford University 1070-1250
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • ACT range
  • Samford University 22-28
  • WCU 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • Samford University Test optional
  • WCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Samford University May 1, 2027
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Samford University $40,150
  • WCU $4,630
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Samford University $40,150
  • WCU $8,630
  • Room & board
  • Samford University $13,056
  • WCU $12,354
  • Average net price
  • Samford University $34,926
  • WCU $13,767
  • Average grant aid
  • Samford University $22,530
  • WCU $5,993
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Samford University 100%
  • WCU 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • Samford University 70%
  • WCU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Samford University $57,400
  • WCU $39,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Samford University 77%
  • WCU 58%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Samford University $22,500
  • WCU $22,010
  • Median loan payment
  • Samford University $232
  • WCU $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Samford University 14:1
  • WCU 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • Samford University
    • Business (20%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • Education (11%)
    • Work and Family Studies (8%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Location
  • Samford University Birmingham, AL
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Setting
  • Samford University Large Suburban
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Samford University 6,097
  • WCU 11,686
  • Type
  • Samford University Private 4 Year
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Samford University #247
  • WCU #698

Comparable Facts

Compare Samford University in Birmingham, AL 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 Samford University based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 6,097 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Samford University is located in Birmingham, AL (Large Suburban setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
  • Samford University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Samford University 14:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 5.4% lower than at Samford University ($12,354 vs. $13,056).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 365.2% higher at Samford University than at Western Carolina University (about $31,520 more per year; $40,150 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Samford University than at Western Carolina University (100% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Samford University students is 275.9% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($22,530 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Samford University than at WCU (25 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Samford University and WCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Samford University May 1, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Samford University average a 3.84 high school GPA, 0.4 higher than at WCU (3.44).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.9% at Samford 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 Samford University graduates ($22,010 vs. $22,500).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Samford University graduates ($227 vs. $232).
  • More Samford University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation (77% 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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