University of North Carolina at Asheville vs. WCU

Should I go to University of North Carolina at Asheville or Western Carolina University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of North Carolina at Asheville or WCU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

ECU ASU UNC Chapel Hill UNC Charlotte UNCW ETSU UNCG NC State University of North Carolina at Pembroke BYU GS Winthrop University
University of North Carolina at Asheville vs. Western Carolina University comparison
University of North Carolina at Asheville Western Carolina University College 3 College 4
University of North Carolina at Asheville Western Carolina University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

University of North Carolina at Asheville WCU
Location Asheville, NC Cullowhee, NC
Setting Small City Distant Town
Enrollment 2,914 11,635
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #444 #763
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website unca.edu wcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of North Carolina at Asheville WCU
Tuition (In State) $4,122 $1,000
Tuition (Out of State) $21,470 $5,000
Room & Board $10,556 $11,173
Avg Net Price $14,730 $13,022
Avg Grant Aid $6,491 $4,526
% Receiving Grant Aid 90% 99%

Admission

University of North Carolina at Asheville WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,278 17,917
Admitted 3,179 15,201
Acceptance Rate 74.3% 84.8%
Enrolled % 15.9% 12.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.49 3.44
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/28 19/26
SAT Range 1145/1340 1020/1240
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2024 Mar 1, 2024

Academics

University of North Carolina at Asheville WCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Psychology (12%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Business (8%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

University of North Carolina at Asheville WCU
Graduation Rate 61% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,900 $39,100
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,641 $22,010
Median Loan Payment $213 $227

Diversity

University of North Carolina at Asheville WCU
% Men 42% 41%
% Women 58% 59%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 80% 79%
% Black 4% 6%
% Hispanic 5% 6%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

University of North Carolina at Asheville WCU
% In-State 82% 80%
% Out-of-State 16% 18%

Campus

University of North Carolina at Asheville WCU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Western Carolina University is larger than than University of North Carolina at Asheville based on total student enrollment (11,635 students vs. 2,914 students)

University of North Carolina at Asheville vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of North Carolina at Asheville or WCU?

  • University of North Carolina at Asheville is 312.2% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($4,122.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 329.4% higher at University of North Carolina at Asheville than Western Carolina University ($21,470.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than University of North Carolina at Asheville ($13,022 vs. $14,730)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Asheville are 5.8% lower than costs at Western Carolina University ($10,556 vs. $11,173)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Carolina University than University of North Carolina at Asheville (99% vs. 90%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina at Asheville students is 43.4% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($6,491 vs. $4,526)

University of North Carolina at Asheville vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of North Carolina at Asheville or WCU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between WCU or University of North Carolina at Asheville .

  • The average SAT score at University of North Carolina at Asheville (1159) is 127 points higher than at WCU (1032)
  • Incoming University of North Carolina at Asheville students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at WCU (22)
  • Accepted freshman University of North Carolina at Asheville students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at WCU (3.44)
  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than University of North Carolina at Asheville (74.3%)

University of North Carolina at Asheville vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of North Carolina at Asheville or WCU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between WCU and University of North Carolina at Asheville.

  • The graduation rate at University of North Carolina at Asheville is higher than Western Carolina University (61% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from Western Carolina University earn on average $1,200 more per year than University of North Carolina at Asheville graduates after ten years. ($39,100 vs. $37,900)
  • University of North Carolina at Asheville students graduate with a $1,369 lower median federal student loan debt than WCU graduates. ($20,641 vs. $22,010)
  • University of North Carolina at Asheville graduates are paying $14 less per month on federal student loans than WCU graduates. ($213 vs. $227)
  • More University of North Carolina at 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/