WCU vs. HSC- Hampden-Sydney

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC with Hampden Sydney College in Hampden-Sydney, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Carolina University is larger than HSC- Hampden-Sydney based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 946 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Carolina University is located in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting); Hampden Sydney College is in Hampden-Sydney, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Hampden Sydney College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Carolina University 16:1; Hampden Sydney College 9:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 26.2% lower than at Hampden Sydney College ($12,354 vs. $16,732).
• Out-of-state tuition is 532.1% higher at HSC- Hampden-Sydney than at Western Carolina University (about $45,920 more per year; $54,550 vs. $8,630).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hampden Sydney College than at Western Carolina University (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hampden Sydney College students is 579.5% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($40,720 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at HSC- Hampden-Sydney than at WCU (25 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both WCU and HSC- Hampden-Sydney.
• Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027; HSC- Hampden-Sydney Feb 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at HSC- Hampden-Sydney average a 3.53 high school GPA, 0.09 higher than at WCU (3.44).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at WCU vs. 22.8% at HSC- Hampden-Sydney.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $4,990 lower median loan debt than HSC- Hampden-Sydney graduates ($22,010 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HSC- Hampden-Sydney graduates ($227 vs. $279).
• More HSC- Hampden-Sydney graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation (75% vs. 58%).

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