WCU vs. CofC

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

Western Carolina University
College of Charleston

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: CofC (60% admitted vs 81.8%). Typical SAT 1230 vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: WCU. Average net price is $13,767 vs $21,004 at CofC.
  • Graduation: WCU 50% vs CofC 63%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WCU $39,100 vs CofC $46,200 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Western Carolina University College of Charleston
Acceptance rate
CofC more selective
WCU81.8%
CofC60%
SAT range (middle 50%)
CofC higher
WCU1080-1270
CofC1140-1310
Average net price
WCU $7,237 less
WCU$13,767
CofC$21,004
In-state tuition
WCU $8,348 less
WCU$4,630
CofC$12,978
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $29,666 less
WCU$8,630
CofC$38,296
Graduation rate
CofC +13 pts
WCU50%
CofC63%
Median earnings (10 years)
CofC +$7,100
WCU$39,100
CofC$46,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

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

Check my chances at WCU Check my chances at CofC
  • Applied
  • WCU 19,742
  • CofC 31,680
  • Admitted
  • WCU 16,154
  • CofC 19,016
  • Acceptance rate
  • WCU 81.8%
  • CofC 60%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WCU 12.7%
  • CofC 11.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • WCU 1180
  • CofC 1230
  • Typical ACT score
  • WCU 22
  • CofC 27
  • Average high school GPA
  • WCU 3.44
  • CofC 3.94
  • Typical high school grades
  • WCU B+
  • CofC A
  • Admissions standards
  • WCU Moderate
  • CofC Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • WCU
  • CofC Low
  • SAT range
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • CofC 1140-1310
  • ACT range
  • WCU 19-25
  • CofC 25-30
  • Submit test scores
  • WCU Test optional
  • CofC Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • CofC Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WCU $4,630
  • CofC $12,978
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WCU $8,630
  • CofC $38,296
  • Room & board
  • WCU $12,354
  • CofC $14,332
  • Average net price
  • WCU $13,767
  • CofC $21,004
  • Average grant aid
  • WCU $5,993
  • CofC $8,983
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WCU 81%
  • CofC 95%
  • Graduation rate
  • WCU 50%
  • CofC 63%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WCU $39,100
  • CofC $46,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • WCU 58%
  • CofC 60%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WCU $22,010
  • CofC $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • WCU $227
  • CofC $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WCU 16:1
  • CofC 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • CofC
    • Business (23%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
  • Location
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • CofC Charleston, SC
  • Setting
  • WCU Distant Town
  • CofC Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • WCU 11,686
  • CofC 11,926
  • Type
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • CofC Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WCU #698
  • CofC #384

Comparable Facts

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

College of Charleston is larger than WCU based on total student enrollment (11,926 students vs. 11,686 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 13.8% lower than at College of Charleston ($12,354 vs. $14,332).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 343.8% higher at CofC than at Western Carolina University (about $29,666 more per year; $38,296 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Charleston than at Western Carolina University (95% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by College of Charleston students is 49.9% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($8,983 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 5 points higher at CofC than at WCU (27 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both WCU and CofC.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027; CofC Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at CofC average a 3.94 high school GPA, 0.5 higher than at WCU (3.44).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at WCU vs. 11.9% at CofC.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Charleston graduates have a $510 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($21,500 vs. $22,010).
  • Among borrowers, CofC graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($222 vs. $227).
  • More CofC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation (60% vs. 58%).

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
College of Charleston
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges