University of North Carolina at Pembroke vs. WCU

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

University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Western Carolina University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: WCU (81.8% admitted vs 93.3%). Typical SAT 1180 vs 1090.
  • Cheaper after aid: University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Average net price is $9,723 vs $13,767 at WCU.
  • Graduation: University of North Carolina at Pembroke 34% vs WCU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: University of North Carolina at Pembroke $35,500 vs WCU $39,100 (median).
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Key differences

University of North Carolina at Pembroke Western Carolina University
Acceptance rate
WCU more selective
University of North Carolina at Pembroke93.3%
WCU81.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WCU higher
University of North Carolina at Pembroke970-1200
WCU1080-1270
Average net price
University of North Carolina at Pembroke $4,044 less
University of North Carolina at Pembroke$9,723
WCU$13,767
In-state tuition
University of North Carolina at Pembroke $982 less
University of North Carolina at Pembroke$3,648
WCU$4,630
Out-of-state tuition
University of North Carolina at Pembroke $982 less
University of North Carolina at Pembroke$7,648
WCU$8,630
Graduation rate
WCU +16 pts
University of North Carolina at Pembroke34%
WCU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
WCU +$3,600
University of North Carolina at Pembroke$35,500
WCU$39,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke 8,178
  • WCU 19,742
  • Admitted
  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke 7,627
  • WCU 16,154
  • Acceptance rate
  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke 93.3%
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke 10.5%
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke 1090
  • WCU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke 20
  • WCU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke 3.44
  • WCU 3.44
  • Typical high school grades
  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke B+
  • WCU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke Very Easy
  • WCU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke
  • WCU
  • SAT range
  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke 970-1200
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • ACT range
  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke 18-23
  • WCU 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke Test optional
  • WCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke May 1, 2027
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke $3,648
  • WCU $4,630
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke $7,648
  • WCU $8,630
  • Room & board
  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke $11,858
  • WCU $12,354
  • Average net price
  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke $9,723
  • WCU $13,767
  • Average grant aid
  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke $7,344
  • WCU $5,993
  • % receiving grant aid
  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke 80%
  • WCU 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke 34%
  • WCU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke $35,500
  • WCU $39,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke 44%
  • WCU 58%
  • Median student loan debt
  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke $21,000
  • WCU $22,010
  • Median loan payment
  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke $217
  • WCU $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke 14:1
  • WCU 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke
    • Business (14%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Location
  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke Pembroke, NC
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Setting
  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke Distant Town
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke 7,674
  • WCU 11,686
  • Type
  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke Public 4 Year
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke #943
  • WCU #698

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina at Pembroke in Pembroke, 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 at Pembroke based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 7,674 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke is located in Pembroke, NC (Distant Town setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke 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 Pembroke 14:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Pembroke are 4% lower than at Western Carolina University ($11,858 vs. $12,354).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 12.8% higher at WCU than at University of North Carolina at Pembroke (about $982 more per year; $8,630 vs. $7,648).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Carolina University than at University of North Carolina at Pembroke (81% vs. 80%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina at Pembroke students is 22.5% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($7,344 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at WCU than at University of North Carolina at Pembroke (22 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both University of North Carolina at Pembroke and WCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of North Carolina at Pembroke May 1, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled freshman University of North Carolina at Pembroke students have the same average high school GPA (3.44) as students at WCU (3.44).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.5% at University of North Carolina at Pembroke vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Pembroke graduates have a $1,010 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($21,000 vs. $22,010).
  • Among borrowers, University of North Carolina at Pembroke graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($217 vs. $227).
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of North Carolina at Pembroke students, three years after graduation (58% vs. 44%).

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

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