University of North Carolina Asheville vs. WCU

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

University of North Carolina Asheville
Western Carolina University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: WCU (81.8% admitted vs 91.9%). Typical SAT 1180 vs 1270.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $13,798 at University of North Carolina Asheville vs $13,767 at WCU. University of North Carolina Asheville in-state tuition is about $2,871 more per year.
  • Graduation: University of North Carolina Asheville 61% vs WCU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: University of North Carolina Asheville $37,900 vs WCU $39,100 (median).
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Key differences

University of North Carolina Asheville Western Carolina University
Acceptance rate
WCU more selective
University of North Carolina Asheville91.9%
WCU81.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
University of North Carolina Asheville higher
University of North Carolina Asheville1170-1360
WCU1080-1270
Average net price
About even
University of North Carolina Asheville$13,798
WCU$13,767
In-state tuition
WCU $2,871 less
University of North Carolina Asheville$7,501
WCU$4,630
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $16,219 less
University of North Carolina Asheville$24,849
WCU$8,630
Graduation rate
University of North Carolina Asheville +11 pts
University of North Carolina Asheville61%
WCU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
WCU +$1,200
University of North Carolina Asheville$37,900
WCU$39,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • University of North Carolina Asheville 7,378
  • WCU 19,742
  • Admitted
  • University of North Carolina Asheville 6,782
  • WCU 16,154
  • Acceptance rate
  • University of North Carolina Asheville 91.9%
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • University of North Carolina Asheville 10.7%
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of North Carolina Asheville 1270
  • WCU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of North Carolina Asheville 26
  • WCU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • University of North Carolina Asheville 3.49
  • WCU 3.44
  • Typical high school grades
  • University of North Carolina Asheville B+
  • WCU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • University of North Carolina Asheville Difficult
  • WCU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • University of North Carolina Asheville
  • WCU
  • SAT range
  • University of North Carolina Asheville 1170-1360
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • ACT range
  • University of North Carolina Asheville 23-29
  • WCU 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • University of North Carolina Asheville Test optional
  • WCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • University of North Carolina Asheville Aug 1, 2027
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • University of North Carolina Asheville $7,501
  • WCU $4,630
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • University of North Carolina Asheville $24,849
  • WCU $8,630
  • Room & board
  • University of North Carolina Asheville $13,992
  • WCU $12,354
  • Average net price
  • University of North Carolina Asheville $13,798
  • WCU $13,767
  • Average grant aid
  • University of North Carolina Asheville $7,683
  • WCU $5,993
  • % receiving grant aid
  • University of North Carolina Asheville 90%
  • WCU 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • University of North Carolina Asheville 61%
  • WCU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • University of North Carolina Asheville $37,900
  • WCU $39,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • University of North Carolina Asheville 61%
  • WCU 58%
  • Median student loan debt
  • University of North Carolina Asheville $20,641
  • WCU $22,010
  • Median loan payment
  • University of North Carolina Asheville $213
  • WCU $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • University of North Carolina Asheville 13:1
  • WCU 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • University of North Carolina Asheville
    • Psychology (12%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Business (8%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Location
  • University of North Carolina Asheville Asheville, NC
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Setting
  • University of North Carolina Asheville Small City
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • University of North Carolina Asheville 3,056
  • WCU 11,686
  • Type
  • University of North Carolina Asheville Public 4 Year
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • University of North Carolina Asheville #443
  • WCU #698

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina Asheville in Asheville, NC 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 University of North Carolina Asheville based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 3,056 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of North Carolina Asheville is located in Asheville, NC (Small City setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
  • University of North Carolina Asheville 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 North Carolina Asheville 13:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 11.7% lower than at University of North Carolina Asheville ($12,354 vs. $13,992).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 187.9% higher at University of North Carolina Asheville than at Western Carolina University (about $16,219 more per year; $24,849 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Carolina Asheville than at Western Carolina University (90% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina Asheville students is 28.2% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($7,683 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at University of North Carolina Asheville than at WCU (26 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both University of North Carolina Asheville and WCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of North Carolina Asheville Aug 1, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at University of North Carolina Asheville average a 3.49 high school GPA, 0.05 higher than at WCU (3.44).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.7% at University of North Carolina Asheville vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Asheville graduates have a $1,369 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($20,641 vs. $22,010).
  • Among borrowers, University of North Carolina Asheville graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($213 vs. $227).
  • More University of North Carolina Asheville graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation (61% 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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