UNC Charlotte vs. WCU

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

University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Western Carolina University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: UNC Charlotte (79.6% admitted vs 81.8%). Typical SAT 1240 vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: WCU. Average net price is $13,767 vs $15,045 at UNC Charlotte.
  • Graduation: UNC Charlotte 53% vs WCU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: UNC Charlotte $48,600 vs WCU $39,100 (median).
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Key differences

University of North Carolina at Charlotte Western Carolina University
Acceptance rate
UNC Charlotte more selective
UNC Charlotte79.6%
WCU81.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
UNC Charlotte higher
UNC Charlotte1140-1330
WCU1080-1270
Average net price
WCU $1,278 less
UNC Charlotte$15,045
WCU$13,767
In-state tuition
WCU $2,609 less
UNC Charlotte$7,239
WCU$4,630
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $13,862 less
UNC Charlotte$22,492
WCU$8,630
Graduation rate
UNC Charlotte +3 pts
UNC Charlotte53%
WCU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
UNC Charlotte +$9,500
UNC Charlotte$48,600
WCU$39,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

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  • Applied
  • UNC Charlotte 23,887
  • WCU 19,742
  • Admitted
  • UNC Charlotte 19,015
  • WCU 16,154
  • Acceptance rate
  • UNC Charlotte 79.6%
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • UNC Charlotte 24.5%
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • UNC Charlotte 1240
  • WCU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • UNC Charlotte 24
  • WCU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • UNC Charlotte 3.57
  • WCU 3.44
  • Typical high school grades
  • UNC Charlotte A-
  • WCU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • UNC Charlotte Challenging
  • WCU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • UNC Charlotte
  • WCU
  • SAT range
  • UNC Charlotte 1140-1330
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • ACT range
  • UNC Charlotte 21-28
  • WCU 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • UNC Charlotte Test optional
  • WCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • UNC Charlotte Jun 1, 2027
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • UNC Charlotte $7,239
  • WCU $4,630
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • UNC Charlotte $22,492
  • WCU $8,630
  • Room & board
  • UNC Charlotte $14,458
  • WCU $12,354
  • Average net price
  • UNC Charlotte $15,045
  • WCU $13,767
  • Average grant aid
  • UNC Charlotte $7,966
  • WCU $5,993
  • % receiving grant aid
  • UNC Charlotte 60%
  • WCU 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • UNC Charlotte 53%
  • WCU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • UNC Charlotte $48,600
  • WCU $39,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • UNC Charlotte 61%
  • WCU 58%
  • Median student loan debt
  • UNC Charlotte $23,000
  • WCU $22,010
  • Median loan payment
  • UNC Charlotte $237
  • WCU $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • UNC Charlotte 21:1
  • WCU 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • UNC Charlotte
    • Business (21%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Engineering (7%)
    • Education (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Location
  • UNC Charlotte Charlotte, NC
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Setting
  • UNC Charlotte Large City
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • UNC Charlotte 31,091
  • WCU 11,686
  • Type
  • UNC Charlotte Public 4 Year
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • UNC Charlotte #529
  • WCU #698

Comparable Facts

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

University of North Carolina at Charlotte is larger than WCU based on total student enrollment (31,091 students vs. 11,686 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of North Carolina at Charlotte is located in Charlotte, NC (Large City setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
  • University of North Carolina at Charlotte 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 at Charlotte 21:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 14.6% lower than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte ($12,354 vs. $14,458).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 160.6% higher at UNC Charlotte than at Western Carolina University (about $13,862 more per year; $22,492 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Carolina University than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (81% vs. 60%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina at Charlotte students is 32.9% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($7,966 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at UNC Charlotte than at WCU (24 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both UNC Charlotte and WCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: UNC Charlotte Jun 1, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at UNC Charlotte average a 3.57 high school GPA, 0.13 higher than at WCU (3.44).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.5% at UNC Charlotte vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $990 lower median loan debt than UNC Charlotte graduates ($22,010 vs. $23,000).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNC Charlotte graduates ($227 vs. $237).
  • More UNC Charlotte 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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