UMass Dartmouth vs. WCU

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

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Western Carolina University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: WCU (81.8% admitted vs 90.6%). Typical SAT 1180 vs 1160.
  • Cheaper after aid: WCU. Average net price is $13,767 vs $21,094 at UMass Dartmouth.
  • Graduation: UMass Dartmouth 48% vs WCU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: UMass Dartmouth $49,000 vs WCU $39,100 (median).
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Key differences

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Western Carolina University
Acceptance rate
WCU more selective
UMass Dartmouth90.6%
WCU81.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WCU higher
UMass Dartmouth1050-1270
WCU1080-1270
Average net price
WCU $7,327 less
UMass Dartmouth$21,094
WCU$13,767
In-state tuition
WCU $10,982 less
UMass Dartmouth$15,612
WCU$4,630
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $23,937 less
UMass Dartmouth$32,567
WCU$8,630
Graduation rate
WCU +2 pts
UMass Dartmouth48%
WCU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
UMass Dartmouth +$9,900
UMass Dartmouth$49,000
WCU$39,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • UMass Dartmouth 10,669
  • WCU 19,742
  • Admitted
  • UMass Dartmouth 9,670
  • WCU 16,154
  • Acceptance rate
  • UMass Dartmouth 90.6%
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • UMass Dartmouth 13.5%
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • UMass Dartmouth 1160
  • WCU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • UMass Dartmouth 28
  • WCU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • UMass Dartmouth 3.37
  • WCU 3.44
  • Typical high school grades
  • UMass Dartmouth B+
  • WCU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • UMass Dartmouth Challenging
  • WCU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • UMass Dartmouth
  • WCU
  • SAT range
  • UMass Dartmouth 1050-1270
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • ACT range
  • UMass Dartmouth 26-30
  • WCU 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • UMass Dartmouth Test optional
  • WCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • UMass Dartmouth
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • UMass Dartmouth $15,612
  • WCU $4,630
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • UMass Dartmouth $32,567
  • WCU $8,630
  • Room & board
  • UMass Dartmouth $18,566
  • WCU $12,354
  • Average net price
  • UMass Dartmouth $21,094
  • WCU $13,767
  • Average grant aid
  • UMass Dartmouth $11,658
  • WCU $5,993
  • % receiving grant aid
  • UMass Dartmouth 96%
  • WCU 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • UMass Dartmouth 48%
  • WCU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • UMass Dartmouth $49,000
  • WCU $39,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • UMass Dartmouth 67%
  • WCU 58%
  • Median student loan debt
  • UMass Dartmouth $25,760
  • WCU $22,010
  • Median loan payment
  • UMass Dartmouth $266
  • WCU $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • UMass Dartmouth 16:1
  • WCU 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • UMass Dartmouth
    • Business (31%)
    • Health Professions (12%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Location
  • UMass Dartmouth North Dartmouth, MA
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Setting
  • UMass Dartmouth Midsize Suburban
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • UMass Dartmouth 7,968
  • WCU 11,686
  • Type
  • UMass Dartmouth Public 4 Year
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • UMass Dartmouth #482
  • WCU #698

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in North Dartmouth, MA 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 UMass Dartmouth based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 7,968 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is located in North Dartmouth, MA (Midsize Suburban setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
  • University of Massachusetts Dartmouth 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 Massachusetts Dartmouth 16:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 33.5% lower than at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth ($12,354 vs. $18,566).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 277.4% higher at UMass Dartmouth than at Western Carolina University (about $23,937 more per year; $32,567 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth than at Western Carolina University (96% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Dartmouth students is 94.5% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($11,658 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 6 points higher at UMass Dartmouth than at WCU (28 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both UMass Dartmouth and WCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WCU average a 3.44 high school GPA, 0.07 higher than at UMass Dartmouth (3.37).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at UMass Dartmouth vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than UMass Dartmouth graduates ($22,010 vs. $25,760).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMass Dartmouth graduates ($227 vs. $266).
  • More UMass Dartmouth graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation (67% 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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