Central vs. WCU

University of Central Missouri and Western Carolina University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

University of Central Missouri
Western Carolina University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Central (63.8% admitted vs 81.8%). Typical SAT N/A vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: WCU. Average net price is $13,767 vs $14,943 at Central.
  • Graduation: Central 50% vs WCU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Central $41,500 vs WCU $39,100 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

University of Central Missouri Western Carolina University
Acceptance rate
Central more selective
Central63.8%
WCU81.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WCU higher
Central-
WCU1080-1270
Average net price
WCU $1,176 less
Central$14,943
WCU$13,767
In-state tuition
WCU $5,420 less
Central$10,050
WCU$4,630
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $9,970 less
Central$18,600
WCU$8,630
Graduation rate
Central +0 pts
Central50%
WCU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
Central +$2,400
Central$41,500
WCU$39,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

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

Check my chances at Central Check my chances at WCU
  • Applied
  • Central 5,647
  • WCU 19,742
  • Admitted
  • Central 3,603
  • WCU 16,154
  • Acceptance rate
  • Central 63.8%
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Central 28.6%
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Central
  • WCU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • Central 22
  • WCU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • Central 3.68
  • WCU 3.44
  • Typical high school grades
  • Central A-
  • WCU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Central Easy
  • WCU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • Central Low
  • WCU
  • SAT range
  • Central
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • ACT range
  • Central 19-25
  • WCU 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • Central Test optional
  • WCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Central
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Central $10,050
  • WCU $4,630
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Central $18,600
  • WCU $8,630
  • Room & board
  • Central $10,740
  • WCU $12,354
  • Average net price
  • Central $14,943
  • WCU $13,767
  • Average grant aid
  • Central $7,811
  • WCU $5,993
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Central 96%
  • WCU 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • Central 50%
  • WCU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Central $41,500
  • WCU $39,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Central 59%
  • WCU 58%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Central $22,441
  • WCU $22,010
  • Median loan payment
  • Central $232
  • WCU $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Central 18:1
  • WCU 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • Central
    • Education (21%)
    • Business (17%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Location
  • Central Warrensburg, MO
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Setting
  • Central Rural Fringe
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Central 12,857
  • WCU 11,686
  • Type
  • Central Public 4 Year
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Central #723
  • WCU #698

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, MO with Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of Central Missouri is larger than WCU based on total student enrollment (12,857 students vs. 11,686 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Central Missouri is located in Warrensburg, MO (Rural Fringe setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
  • University of Central Missouri is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Central Missouri 18:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Missouri are 13.1% lower than at Western Carolina University ($10,740 vs. $12,354).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 115.5% higher at Central than at Western Carolina University (about $9,970 more per year; $18,600 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Central Missouri than at Western Carolina University (96% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Central Missouri students is 30.3% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($7,811 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Central students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 22) as students at WCU (22).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Central and WCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Central average a 3.68 high school GPA, 0.24 higher than at WCU (3.44).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.6% at Central vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $431 lower median loan debt than Central graduates ($22,010 vs. $22,441).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central graduates ($227 vs. $232).
  • More Central graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation (59% vs. 58%).

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.

University of Central Missouri
Western Carolina University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges