UM-Dearborn vs. WCU

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

University of Michigan Dearborn
Western Carolina University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: UM-Dearborn (55.6% admitted vs 81.8%). Typical SAT 1120 vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: UM-Dearborn. Average net price is $11,521 vs $13,767 at WCU.
  • Graduation: UM-Dearborn 49% vs WCU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: UM-Dearborn $52,800 vs WCU $39,100 (median).
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Key differences

University of Michigan Dearborn Western Carolina University
Acceptance rate
UM-Dearborn more selective
UM-Dearborn55.6%
WCU81.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WCU higher
UM-Dearborn990-1255
WCU1080-1270
Average net price
UM-Dearborn $2,246 less
UM-Dearborn$11,521
WCU$13,767
In-state tuition
WCU $11,010 less
UM-Dearborn$15,640
WCU$4,630
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $24,266 less
UM-Dearborn$32,896
WCU$8,630
Graduation rate
WCU +1 pts
UM-Dearborn49%
WCU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
UM-Dearborn +$13,700
UM-Dearborn$52,800
WCU$39,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • UM-Dearborn 14,105
  • WCU 19,742
  • Admitted
  • UM-Dearborn 7,844
  • WCU 16,154
  • Acceptance rate
  • UM-Dearborn 55.6%
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • UM-Dearborn 14.2%
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • UM-Dearborn 1120
  • WCU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • UM-Dearborn 26
  • WCU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • UM-Dearborn 3.66
  • WCU 3.44
  • Typical high school grades
  • UM-Dearborn A-
  • WCU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • UM-Dearborn Average
  • WCU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • UM-Dearborn Low
  • WCU
  • SAT range
  • UM-Dearborn 990-1255
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • ACT range
  • UM-Dearborn 24-28
  • WCU 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • UM-Dearborn Test optional
  • WCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • UM-Dearborn Apr 1, 2027
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • UM-Dearborn $15,640
  • WCU $4,630
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • UM-Dearborn $32,896
  • WCU $8,630
  • Room & board
  • UM-Dearborn $11,241
  • WCU $12,354
  • Average net price
  • UM-Dearborn $11,521
  • WCU $13,767
  • Average grant aid
  • UM-Dearborn $12,124
  • WCU $5,993
  • % receiving grant aid
  • UM-Dearborn 99%
  • WCU 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • UM-Dearborn 49%
  • WCU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • UM-Dearborn $52,800
  • WCU $39,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • UM-Dearborn 46%
  • WCU 58%
  • Median student loan debt
  • UM-Dearborn $25,750
  • WCU $22,010
  • Median loan payment
  • UM-Dearborn $266
  • WCU $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • UM-Dearborn 16:1
  • WCU 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • UM-Dearborn
    • Business (22%)
    • Engineering (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Biology (8%)
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Location
  • UM-Dearborn Dearborn, MI
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Setting
  • UM-Dearborn Small City
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • UM-Dearborn 8,104
  • WCU 11,686
  • Type
  • UM-Dearborn Public 4 Year
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • UM-Dearborn #451
  • WCU #698

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Michigan Dearborn in Dearborn, MI 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 UM-Dearborn based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 8,104 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Michigan Dearborn is located in Dearborn, MI (Small City setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
  • University of Michigan Dearborn 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 Michigan Dearborn 16:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Michigan Dearborn are 9% lower than at Western Carolina University ($11,241 vs. $12,354).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 281.2% higher at UM-Dearborn than at Western Carolina University (about $24,266 more per year; $32,896 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Michigan Dearborn than at Western Carolina University (99% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Michigan Dearborn students is 102.3% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($12,124 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at UM-Dearborn than at WCU (26 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both UM-Dearborn and WCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: UM-Dearborn Apr 1, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at UM-Dearborn average a 3.66 high school GPA, 0.22 higher than at WCU (3.44).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at UM-Dearborn vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $3,740 lower median loan debt than UM-Dearborn graduates ($22,010 vs. $25,750).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UM-Dearborn graduates ($227 vs. $266).
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UM-Dearborn students, three years after graduation (58% vs. 46%).

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

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