Kentucky vs. WCU

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

University of Kentucky
Western Carolina University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: WCU (81.8% admitted vs 92.9%). Typical SAT 1180 vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: WCU. Average net price is $13,767 vs $21,958 at Kentucky.
  • Graduation: Kentucky 59% vs WCU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Kentucky $51,000 vs WCU $39,100 (median).
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Key differences

University of Kentucky Western Carolina University
Acceptance rate
WCU more selective
Kentucky92.9%
WCU81.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Kentucky higher
Kentucky1070-1290
WCU1080-1270
Average net price
WCU $8,191 less
Kentucky$21,958
WCU$13,767
In-state tuition
WCU $8,872 less
Kentucky$13,502
WCU$4,630
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $25,510 less
Kentucky$34,140
WCU$8,630
Graduation rate
Kentucky +9 pts
Kentucky59%
WCU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
Kentucky +$11,900
Kentucky$51,000
WCU$39,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Kentucky 31,517
  • WCU 19,742
  • Admitted
  • Kentucky 29,293
  • WCU 16,154
  • Acceptance rate
  • Kentucky 92.9%
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Kentucky 22.2%
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Kentucky 1180
  • WCU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • Kentucky 24
  • WCU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • Kentucky 3.59
  • WCU 3.44
  • Typical high school grades
  • Kentucky A-
  • WCU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Kentucky Challenging
  • WCU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • Kentucky
  • WCU
  • SAT range
  • Kentucky 1070-1290
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • ACT range
  • Kentucky 21-28
  • WCU 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • Kentucky Test optional
  • WCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Kentucky Feb 15, 2027
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Kentucky $13,502
  • WCU $4,630
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Kentucky $34,140
  • WCU $8,630
  • Room & board
  • Kentucky $16,016
  • WCU $12,354
  • Average net price
  • Kentucky $21,958
  • WCU $13,767
  • Average grant aid
  • Kentucky $12,898
  • WCU $5,993
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Kentucky 95%
  • WCU 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • Kentucky 59%
  • WCU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Kentucky $51,000
  • WCU $39,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Kentucky 62%
  • WCU 58%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Kentucky $22,750
  • WCU $22,010
  • Median loan payment
  • Kentucky $235
  • WCU $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Kentucky 18:1
  • WCU 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • Kentucky
    • Business (19%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Engineering (8%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Location
  • Kentucky Lexington, KY
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Setting
  • Kentucky Large City
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Kentucky 34,709
  • WCU 11,686
  • Type
  • Kentucky Public 4 Year
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Kentucky #437
  • WCU #698

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY with Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of Kentucky is larger than WCU based on total student enrollment (34,709 students vs. 11,686 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Kentucky is located in Lexington, KY (Large City setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
  • University of Kentucky 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 Kentucky 18:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 22.9% lower than at University of Kentucky ($12,354 vs. $16,016).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 295.6% higher at Kentucky than at Western Carolina University (about $25,510 more per year; $34,140 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Kentucky than at Western Carolina University (95% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Kentucky students is 115.2% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($12,898 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Kentucky than at WCU (24 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Kentucky and WCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Kentucky Feb 15, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Kentucky average a 3.59 high school GPA, 0.15 higher than at WCU (3.44).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at Kentucky vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $740 lower median loan debt than Kentucky graduates ($22,010 vs. $22,750).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kentucky graduates ($227 vs. $235).
  • More Kentucky graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation (62% 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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