WCU vs. Coastal Carolina

Western Carolina University and Coastal Carolina University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Western Carolina University
Coastal Carolina University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Coastal Carolina (75.3% admitted vs 81.8%). Typical SAT 1140 vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $13,767 at WCU vs $14,379 at Coastal Carolina. Coastal Carolina in-state tuition is about $7,010 more per year.
  • Graduation: WCU 50% vs Coastal Carolina 46%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WCU $39,100 vs Coastal Carolina $42,200 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Western Carolina University Coastal Carolina University
Acceptance rate
Coastal Carolina more selective
WCU81.8%
Coastal Carolina75.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WCU higher
WCU1080-1270
Coastal Carolina1050-1220
Average net price
About even
WCU$13,767
Coastal Carolina$14,379
In-state tuition
WCU $7,010 less
WCU$4,630
Coastal Carolina$11,640
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $20,998 less
WCU$8,630
Coastal Carolina$29,628
Graduation rate
WCU +4 pts
WCU50%
Coastal Carolina46%
Median earnings (10 years)
Coastal Carolina +$3,100
WCU$39,100
Coastal Carolina$42,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at WCU and Coastal Carolina with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at WCU Check my chances at Coastal Carolina
  • Applied
  • WCU 19,742
  • Coastal Carolina 21,028
  • Admitted
  • WCU 16,154
  • Coastal Carolina 15,828
  • Acceptance rate
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Coastal Carolina 75.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Coastal Carolina 16.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • WCU 1180
  • Coastal Carolina 1140
  • Typical ACT score
  • WCU 22
  • Coastal Carolina 23
  • Average high school GPA
  • WCU 3.44
  • Coastal Carolina 3.72
  • Typical high school grades
  • WCU B+
  • Coastal Carolina A-
  • Admissions standards
  • WCU Moderate
  • Coastal Carolina Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • WCU
  • Coastal Carolina
  • SAT range
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • Coastal Carolina 1050-1220
  • ACT range
  • WCU 19-25
  • Coastal Carolina 21-26
  • Submit test scores
  • WCU Test optional
  • Coastal Carolina Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Coastal Carolina
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WCU $4,630
  • Coastal Carolina $11,640
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WCU $8,630
  • Coastal Carolina $29,628
  • Room & board
  • WCU $12,354
  • Coastal Carolina $12,146
  • Average net price
  • WCU $13,767
  • Coastal Carolina $14,379
  • Average grant aid
  • WCU $5,993
  • Coastal Carolina $10,087
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WCU 81%
  • Coastal Carolina 94%
  • Graduation rate
  • WCU 50%
  • Coastal Carolina 46%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WCU $39,100
  • Coastal Carolina $42,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • WCU 58%
  • Coastal Carolina 54%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WCU $22,010
  • Coastal Carolina $24,930
  • Median loan payment
  • WCU $227
  • Coastal Carolina $257
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WCU 16:1
  • Coastal Carolina 17:1
  • Popular majors
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Coastal Carolina
    • Business (30%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)
  • Location
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Coastal Carolina Conway, SC
  • Setting
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Coastal Carolina Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • WCU 11,686
  • Coastal Carolina 11,348
  • Type
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • Coastal Carolina Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WCU #698
  • Coastal Carolina #808

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC with Coastal Carolina University in Conway, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Carolina University is larger than Coastal Carolina based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 11,348 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Carolina University is located in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting); Coastal Carolina University is in Conway, SC (Small City setting).
  • Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Coastal Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Carolina University 16:1; Coastal Carolina University 17:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Coastal Carolina University are 1.7% lower than at Western Carolina University ($12,146 vs. $12,354).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 243.3% higher at Coastal Carolina than at Western Carolina University (about $20,998 more per year; $29,628 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Coastal Carolina University than at Western Carolina University (94% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Coastal Carolina University students is 68.3% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($10,087 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Coastal Carolina than at WCU (23 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both WCU and Coastal Carolina.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Coastal Carolina average a 3.72 high school GPA, 0.28 higher than at WCU (3.44).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at WCU vs. 16.9% at Coastal Carolina.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $2,920 lower median loan debt than Coastal Carolina graduates ($22,010 vs. $24,930).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $30 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Coastal Carolina graduates ($227 vs. $257).
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Coastal Carolina students, three years after graduation (58% vs. 54%).

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

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Western Carolina University
Coastal Carolina University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges