Louisville vs. WCU

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

University of Louisville
Western Carolina University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Louisville (79.4% admitted vs 81.8%). Typical SAT 1160 vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: WCU. Average net price is $13,767 vs $19,785 at Louisville.
  • Graduation: Louisville 51% vs WCU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Louisville $45,200 vs WCU $39,100 (median).
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Key differences

University of Louisville Western Carolina University
Acceptance rate
Louisville more selective
Louisville79.4%
WCU81.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WCU higher
Louisville1040-1270
WCU1080-1270
Average net price
WCU $6,018 less
Louisville$19,785
WCU$13,767
In-state tuition
WCU $8,506 less
Louisville$13,136
WCU$4,630
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $20,852 less
Louisville$29,482
WCU$8,630
Graduation rate
Louisville +1 pts
Louisville51%
WCU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
Louisville +$6,100
Louisville$45,200
WCU$39,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

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  • Applied
  • Louisville 15,668
  • WCU 19,742
  • Admitted
  • Louisville 12,442
  • WCU 16,154
  • Acceptance rate
  • Louisville 79.4%
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Louisville 25.1%
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Louisville 1160
  • WCU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • Louisville 23
  • WCU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • Louisville 3.64
  • WCU 3.44
  • Typical high school grades
  • Louisville A-
  • WCU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Louisville Average
  • WCU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • Louisville
  • WCU
  • SAT range
  • Louisville 1040-1270
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • ACT range
  • Louisville 19-27
  • WCU 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • Louisville Test optional
  • WCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Louisville Feb 15, 2027
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Louisville $13,136
  • WCU $4,630
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Louisville $29,482
  • WCU $8,630
  • Room & board
  • Louisville $12,576
  • WCU $12,354
  • Average net price
  • Louisville $19,785
  • WCU $13,767
  • Average grant aid
  • Louisville $14,677
  • WCU $5,993
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Louisville 98%
  • WCU 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • Louisville 51%
  • WCU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Louisville $45,200
  • WCU $39,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Louisville 58%
  • WCU 58%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Louisville $19,656
  • WCU $22,010
  • Median loan payment
  • Louisville $203
  • WCU $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Louisville 14:1
  • WCU 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • Louisville
    • Business (18%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Location
  • Louisville Louisville, KY
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Setting
  • Louisville Large City
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Louisville 23,065
  • WCU 11,686
  • Type
  • Louisville Public 4 Year
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Louisville #408
  • WCU #698

Comparable Facts

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

University of Louisville is larger than WCU based on total student enrollment (23,065 students vs. 11,686 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Louisville is located in Louisville, KY (Large City setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
  • University of Louisville 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 Louisville 14:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 1.8% lower than at University of Louisville ($12,354 vs. $12,576).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 241.6% higher at Louisville than at Western Carolina University (about $20,852 more per year; $29,482 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisville than at Western Carolina University (98% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Louisville students is 144.9% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($14,677 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Louisville than at WCU (23 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Louisville and WCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Louisville Feb 15, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Louisville average a 3.64 high school GPA, 0.2 higher than at WCU (3.44).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.1% at Louisville vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisville graduates have a $2,354 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($19,656 vs. $22,010).
  • Among borrowers, Louisville graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($203 vs. $227).
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Louisville students, three years after graduation (58% 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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