Warren Wilson vs. WCU

Warren Wilson College and Western Carolina University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Warren Wilson College
Western Carolina University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Warren Wilson (71.3% admitted vs 81.8%). Typical SAT N/A vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: WCU. Average net price is $13,767 vs $26,084 at Warren Wilson.
  • Graduation: Warren Wilson 45% vs WCU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Warren Wilson $30,800 vs WCU $39,100 (median).
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Key differences

Warren Wilson College Western Carolina University
Acceptance rate
Warren Wilson more selective
Warren Wilson71.3%
WCU81.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WCU higher
Warren Wilson-
WCU1080-1270
Average net price
WCU $12,317 less
Warren Wilson$26,084
WCU$13,767
In-state tuition
WCU $36,870 less
Warren Wilson$41,500
WCU$4,630
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $32,870 less
Warren Wilson$41,500
WCU$8,630
Graduation rate
WCU +5 pts
Warren Wilson45%
WCU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
WCU +$8,300
Warren Wilson$30,800
WCU$39,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Warren Wilson 1,361
  • WCU 19,742
  • Admitted
  • Warren Wilson 971
  • WCU 16,154
  • Acceptance rate
  • Warren Wilson 71.3%
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Warren Wilson 17.9%
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Warren Wilson
  • WCU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • Warren Wilson 25
  • WCU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • Warren Wilson 3.6
  • WCU 3.44
  • Typical high school grades
  • Warren Wilson A-
  • WCU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Warren Wilson Challenging
  • WCU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • Warren Wilson Low
  • WCU
  • SAT range
  • Warren Wilson
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • ACT range
  • Warren Wilson 21-29
  • WCU 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • Warren Wilson Test optional
  • WCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Warren Wilson Jul 3, 2027
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Warren Wilson $41,500
  • WCU $4,630
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Warren Wilson $41,500
  • WCU $8,630
  • Room & board
  • Warren Wilson $13,050
  • WCU $12,354
  • Average net price
  • Warren Wilson $26,084
  • WCU $13,767
  • Average grant aid
  • Warren Wilson $30,887
  • WCU $5,993
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Warren Wilson 100%
  • WCU 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • Warren Wilson 45%
  • WCU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Warren Wilson $30,800
  • WCU $39,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Warren Wilson 72%
  • WCU 58%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Warren Wilson $23,000
  • WCU $22,010
  • Median loan payment
  • Warren Wilson $237
  • WCU $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Warren Wilson 12:1
  • WCU 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • Warren Wilson
    • Natural Resources Conservation (28%)
    • English and Literature (15%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • General Studies (9%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Location
  • Warren Wilson Swannanoa, NC
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Setting
  • Warren Wilson Midsize Suburban
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Warren Wilson 791
  • WCU 11,686
  • Type
  • Warren Wilson Private 4 Year
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Warren Wilson
  • WCU #698

Comparable Facts

Compare Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, 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 Warren Wilson based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 791 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Warren Wilson College is located in Swannanoa, NC (Midsize Suburban setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
  • Warren Wilson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Warren Wilson College 12:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 5.3% lower than at Warren Wilson College ($12,354 vs. $13,050).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 380.9% higher at Warren Wilson than at Western Carolina University (about $32,870 more per year; $41,500 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Warren Wilson College than at Western Carolina University (100% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Warren Wilson College students is 415.4% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($30,887 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Warren Wilson than at WCU (25 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Warren Wilson and WCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Warren Wilson Jul 3, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Warren Wilson average a 3.6 high school GPA, 0.16 higher than at WCU (3.44).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at Warren Wilson 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 Warren Wilson graduates ($22,010 vs. $23,000).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Warren Wilson graduates ($227 vs. $237).
  • More Warren Wilson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation (72% 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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