WCU vs. ETSU

Western Carolina University and East Tennessee State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Western Carolina University
East Tennessee State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: WCU (81.8% admitted vs 86.2%). Typical SAT 1180 vs 1090.
  • Cheaper after aid: WCU. Average net price is $13,767 vs $16,286 at ETSU.
  • Graduation: WCU 50% vs ETSU 44%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WCU $39,100 vs ETSU $40,000 (median).
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Key differences

Western Carolina University East Tennessee State University
Acceptance rate
WCU more selective
WCU81.8%
ETSU86.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WCU higher
WCU1080-1270
ETSU980-1200
Average net price
WCU $2,519 less
WCU$13,767
ETSU$16,286
In-state tuition
WCU $5,842 less
WCU$4,630
ETSU$10,472
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $5,892 less
WCU$8,630
ETSU$14,522
Graduation rate
WCU +6 pts
WCU50%
ETSU44%
Median earnings (10 years)
ETSU +$900
WCU$39,100
ETSU$40,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • WCU 19,742
  • ETSU 10,050
  • Admitted
  • WCU 16,154
  • ETSU 8,662
  • Acceptance rate
  • WCU 81.8%
  • ETSU 86.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WCU 12.7%
  • ETSU 24.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • WCU 1180
  • ETSU 1090
  • Typical ACT score
  • WCU 22
  • ETSU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • WCU 3.44
  • ETSU 3.33
  • Typical high school grades
  • WCU B+
  • ETSU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • WCU Moderate
  • ETSU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • WCU
  • ETSU
  • SAT range
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • ETSU 980-1200
  • ACT range
  • WCU 19-25
  • ETSU 19-26
  • Submit test scores
  • WCU Test optional
  • ETSU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • ETSU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WCU $4,630
  • ETSU $10,472
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WCU $8,630
  • ETSU $14,522
  • Room & board
  • WCU $12,354
  • ETSU $10,554
  • Average net price
  • WCU $13,767
  • ETSU $16,286
  • Average grant aid
  • WCU $5,993
  • ETSU $10,101
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WCU 81%
  • ETSU 87%
  • Graduation rate
  • WCU 50%
  • ETSU 44%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WCU $39,100
  • ETSU $40,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • WCU 58%
  • ETSU 50%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WCU $22,010
  • ETSU $20,500
  • Median loan payment
  • WCU $227
  • ETSU $211
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WCU 16:1
  • ETSU 15:1
  • Popular majors
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • ETSU
    • Health Professions (20%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
    • Education (6%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
  • Location
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • ETSU Johnson City, TN
  • Setting
  • WCU Distant Town
  • ETSU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • WCU 11,686
  • ETSU 13,728
  • Type
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • ETSU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WCU #698
  • ETSU #650

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC with East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

East Tennessee State University is larger than WCU based on total student enrollment (13,728 students vs. 11,686 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Carolina University is located in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting); East Tennessee State University is in Johnson City, TN (Small City setting).
  • Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. East Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Carolina University 16:1; East Tennessee State University 15:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Tennessee State University are 14.6% lower than at Western Carolina University ($10,554 vs. $12,354).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 68.3% higher at ETSU than at Western Carolina University (about $5,892 more per year; $14,522 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at East Tennessee State University than at Western Carolina University (87% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by East Tennessee State University students is 68.5% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($10,101 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Incoming WCU students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 22) as students at ETSU (22).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both WCU and ETSU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WCU average a 3.44 high school GPA, 0.11 higher than at ETSU (3.33).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at WCU vs. 24.7% at ETSU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, East Tennessee State University graduates have a $1,510 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($20,500 vs. $22,010).
  • Among borrowers, ETSU graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($211 vs. $227).
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ETSU students, three years after graduation (58% vs. 50%).

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

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