UNCG vs. WCU

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

University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Western Carolina University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: WCU (81.8% admitted vs 88.5%). Typical SAT 1180 vs 1250.
  • Cheaper after aid: UNCG. Average net price is $11,404 vs $13,767 at WCU.
  • Graduation: UNCG 53% vs WCU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: UNCG $39,100 vs WCU $39,100 (median).
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Key differences

University of North Carolina at Greensboro Western Carolina University
Acceptance rate
WCU more selective
UNCG88.5%
WCU81.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
UNCG higher
UNCG1150-1355
WCU1080-1270
Average net price
UNCG $2,363 less
UNCG$11,404
WCU$13,767
In-state tuition
WCU $3,031 less
UNCG$7,661
WCU$4,630
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $15,382 less
UNCG$24,012
WCU$8,630
Graduation rate
UNCG +3 pts
UNCG53%
WCU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
UNCG +$0
UNCG$39,100
WCU$39,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • UNCG 12,948
  • WCU 19,742
  • Admitted
  • UNCG 11,460
  • WCU 16,154
  • Acceptance rate
  • UNCG 88.5%
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • UNCG 21.2%
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • UNCG 1250
  • WCU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • UNCG 24
  • WCU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • UNCG 3.59
  • WCU 3.44
  • Typical high school grades
  • UNCG A-
  • WCU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • UNCG Challenging
  • WCU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • UNCG
  • WCU
  • SAT range
  • UNCG 1150-1355
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • ACT range
  • UNCG 22-27
  • WCU 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • UNCG Test optional
  • WCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • UNCG Mar 1, 2027
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • UNCG $7,661
  • WCU $4,630
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • UNCG $24,012
  • WCU $8,630
  • Room & board
  • UNCG $10,688
  • WCU $12,354
  • Average net price
  • UNCG $11,404
  • WCU $13,767
  • Average grant aid
  • UNCG $9,863
  • WCU $5,993
  • % receiving grant aid
  • UNCG 87%
  • WCU 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • UNCG 53%
  • WCU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • UNCG $39,100
  • WCU $39,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • UNCG 56%
  • WCU 58%
  • Median student loan debt
  • UNCG $22,737
  • WCU $22,010
  • Median loan payment
  • UNCG $235
  • WCU $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • UNCG 18:1
  • WCU 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • UNCG
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (11%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Location
  • UNCG Greensboro, NC
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Setting
  • UNCG Large City
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • UNCG 18,012
  • WCU 11,686
  • Type
  • UNCG Public 4 Year
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • UNCG #646
  • WCU #698

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina at Greensboro in Greensboro, 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 Greensboro is larger than WCU based on total student enrollment (18,012 students vs. 11,686 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of North Carolina at Greensboro is located in Greensboro, NC (Large City setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
  • University of North Carolina at Greensboro 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 Greensboro 18:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Greensboro are 13.5% lower than at Western Carolina University ($10,688 vs. $12,354).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 178.2% higher at UNCG than at Western Carolina University (about $15,382 more per year; $24,012 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Carolina at Greensboro than at Western Carolina University (87% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina at Greensboro students is 64.6% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($9,863 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at UNCG than at WCU (24 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both UNCG and WCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: UNCG Mar 1, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at UNCG average a 3.59 high school GPA, 0.15 higher than at WCU (3.44).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.2% at UNCG vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $727 lower median loan debt than UNCG graduates ($22,010 vs. $22,737).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCG graduates ($227 vs. $235).
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCG students, three years after graduation (58% vs. 56%).

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

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