Warren Wilson vs. Ferrum College

Comparable Facts

Compare Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, NC with Ferrum College in Ferrum, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Warren Wilson College is larger than Ferrum College based on total student enrollment (791 students vs. 763 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Warren Wilson College is located in Swannanoa, NC (Midsize Suburban setting); Ferrum College is in Ferrum, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• Warren Wilson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ferrum College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Warren Wilson College 12:1; Ferrum College 11:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Warren Wilson College are 1.4% lower than at Ferrum College ($13,050 vs. $13,230).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.5% higher at Warren Wilson than at Ferrum College (about $12,980 more per year; $41,500 vs. $28,520).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Warren Wilson College than at Ferrum College (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ferrum College students is 11.5% larger than aid received by Warren Wilson College students ($34,444 vs. $30,887).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Warren Wilson and Ferrum College.
• Typical fall application deadline: Warren Wilson Jul 3, 2027; Ferrum College Sep 15, 2026.
• Enrolled first-year students at Warren Wilson average a 3.6 high school GPA, 0.46 higher than at Ferrum College (3.14).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at Warren Wilson vs. 11.5% at Ferrum College.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Warren Wilson College graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than Ferrum College graduates ($23,000 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Warren Wilson graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ferrum College graduates ($237 vs. $289).
• More Warren Wilson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ferrum College students, three years after graduation (72% vs. 49%).

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