Spelman vs. WCU

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

Spelman College
Western Carolina University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Spelman (24.9% admitted vs 81.8%). Typical SAT 1210 vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: WCU. Average net price is $13,767 vs $40,354 at Spelman.
  • Graduation: Spelman 77% vs WCU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Spelman $51,300 vs WCU $39,100 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Spelman College Western Carolina University
Acceptance rate
Spelman more selective
Spelman24.9%
WCU81.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Spelman higher
Spelman1108-1320
WCU1080-1270
Average net price
WCU $26,587 less
Spelman$40,354
WCU$13,767
In-state tuition
WCU $26,926 less
Spelman$31,556
WCU$4,630
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $22,926 less
Spelman$31,556
WCU$8,630
Graduation rate
Spelman +27 pts
Spelman77%
WCU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
Spelman +$12,200
Spelman$51,300
WCU$39,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Spelman and WCU with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Spelman Check my chances at WCU
  • Applied
  • Spelman 12,023
  • WCU 19,742
  • Admitted
  • Spelman 2,990
  • WCU 16,154
  • Acceptance rate
  • Spelman 24.9%
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Spelman 23.6%
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Spelman 1210
  • WCU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • Spelman 25
  • WCU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • Spelman 3.75
  • WCU 3.44
  • Typical high school grades
  • Spelman A-
  • WCU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Spelman Challenging
  • WCU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • Spelman High
  • WCU
  • SAT range
  • Spelman 1108-1320
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • ACT range
  • Spelman 22-29
  • WCU 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • Spelman Test optional
  • WCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Spelman Feb 1, 2027
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Spelman $31,556
  • WCU $4,630
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Spelman $31,556
  • WCU $8,630
  • Room & board
  • Spelman $18,091
  • WCU $12,354
  • Average net price
  • Spelman $40,354
  • WCU $13,767
  • Average grant aid
  • Spelman $10,614
  • WCU $5,993
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Spelman 96%
  • WCU 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • Spelman 77%
  • WCU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Spelman $51,300
  • WCU $39,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Spelman 47%
  • WCU 58%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Spelman $27,000
  • WCU $22,010
  • Median loan payment
  • Spelman $279
  • WCU $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Spelman 11:1
  • WCU 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • Spelman
    • Social Sciences (28%)
    • Psychology (20%)
    • Biology (14%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Location
  • Spelman Atlanta, GA
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Setting
  • Spelman Large City
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Spelman 3,417
  • WCU 11,686
  • Type
  • Spelman Private 4 Year
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Spelman #271
  • WCU #698

Comparable Facts

Compare Spelman College in Atlanta, GA 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 Spelman based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 3,417 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Spelman College is located in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
  • Spelman College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Spelman College 11:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 31.7% lower than at Spelman College ($12,354 vs. $18,091).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 265.7% higher at Spelman than at Western Carolina University (about $22,926 more per year; $31,556 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Spelman College than at Western Carolina University (96% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Spelman College students is 77.1% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($10,614 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Spelman than at WCU (25 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Spelman and WCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Spelman Feb 1, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Spelman average a 3.75 high school GPA, 0.31 higher than at WCU (3.44).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.6% at Spelman vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $4,990 lower median loan debt than Spelman graduates ($22,010 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Spelman graduates ($227 vs. $279).
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Spelman students, three years after graduation (58% vs. 47%).

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

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Spelman College
Western Carolina University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges