WCU vs. KSU

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

Western Carolina University
Kennesaw State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: KSU (69.2% admitted vs 81.8%). Typical SAT 1110 vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: WCU. Average net price is $13,767 vs $15,636 at KSU.
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Western Carolina University Kennesaw State University
Acceptance rate
KSU more selective
WCU81.8%
KSU69.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WCU higher
WCU1080-1270
KSU1000-1220
Average net price
WCU $1,869 less
WCU$13,767
KSU$15,636
In-state tuition
WCU $1,178 less
WCU$4,630
KSU$5,808
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $9,106 less
WCU$8,630
KSU$17,736
Graduation rate
WCU +50 pts
WCU50%
KSU-
Median earnings (10 years)
WCU +$39,100
WCU$39,100
KSU-

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

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

Check my chances at WCU Check my chances at KSU
  • Applied
  • WCU 19,742
  • KSU 34,680
  • Admitted
  • WCU 16,154
  • KSU 23,995
  • Acceptance rate
  • WCU 81.8%
  • KSU 69.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WCU 12.7%
  • KSU 38%
  • Typical SAT score
  • WCU 1180
  • KSU 1110
  • Typical ACT score
  • WCU 22
  • KSU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • WCU 3.44
  • KSU 3.33
  • Typical high school grades
  • WCU B+
  • KSU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • WCU Moderate
  • KSU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • WCU
  • KSU Low
  • SAT range
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • KSU 1000-1220
  • ACT range
  • WCU 19-25
  • KSU 19-26
  • Submit test scores
  • WCU Test optional
  • KSU Required
  • Application deadline
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • KSU Jun 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WCU $4,630
  • KSU $5,808
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WCU $8,630
  • KSU $17,736
  • Room & board
  • WCU $12,354
  • KSU $13,287
  • Average net price
  • WCU $13,767
  • KSU $15,636
  • Average grant aid
  • WCU $5,993
  • KSU $8,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WCU 81%
  • KSU 92%
  • Graduation rate
  • WCU 50%
  • KSU -
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WCU $39,100
  • KSU N/A
  • Making student loan payments
  • WCU 58%
  • KSU 53%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WCU $22,010
  • KSU $21,200
  • Median loan payment
  • WCU $227
  • KSU $219
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WCU 16:1
  • KSU 23:1
  • Popular majors
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • KSU
  • Location
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • KSU Kennesaw, GA
  • Setting
  • WCU Distant Town
  • KSU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • WCU 11,686
  • KSU 47,764
  • Type
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • KSU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WCU #698
  • KSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC with Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, GA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Kennesaw State University is larger than WCU based on total student enrollment (47,764 students vs. 11,686 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Carolina University is located in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting); Kennesaw State University is in Kennesaw, GA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Kennesaw State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Carolina University 16:1; Kennesaw State University 23:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 7% lower than at Kennesaw State University ($12,354 vs. $13,287).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 105.5% higher at KSU than at Western Carolina University (about $9,106 more per year; $17,736 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kennesaw State University than at Western Carolina University (92% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Kennesaw State University students is 37.2% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($8,223 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Incoming WCU students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 22) as students at KSU (22).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at WCU, required at KSU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027; KSU Jun 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WCU average a 3.44 high school GPA, 0.11 higher than at KSU (3.33).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at WCU vs. 38% at KSU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Kennesaw State University graduates have a $810 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($21,200 vs. $22,010).
  • Among borrowers, KSU graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($219 vs. $227).
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KSU students, three years after graduation (58% vs. 53%).

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
Kennesaw State University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges