WCU vs. Liberty University

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

Western Carolina University
Liberty University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: WCU (81.8% admitted vs 99%). Typical SAT 1180 vs 1150.
  • Cheaper after aid: WCU. Average net price is $13,767 vs $29,532 at Liberty University.
  • Graduation: WCU 50% vs Liberty University 47%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WCU $39,100 vs Liberty University $39,100 (median).
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Key differences

Western Carolina University Liberty University
Acceptance rate
WCU more selective
WCU81.8%
Liberty University99%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WCU higher
WCU1080-1270
Liberty University1040-1250
Average net price
WCU $15,765 less
WCU$13,767
Liberty University$29,532
In-state tuition
WCU $17,835 less
WCU$4,630
Liberty University$22,465
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $13,835 less
WCU$8,630
Liberty University$22,465
Graduation rate
WCU +3 pts
WCU50%
Liberty University47%
Median earnings (10 years)
WCU +$0
WCU$39,100
Liberty University$39,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • WCU 19,742
  • Liberty University 24,942
  • Admitted
  • WCU 16,154
  • Liberty University 24,687
  • Acceptance rate
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Liberty University 99% Open
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Liberty University 24.4% Open
  • Typical SAT score
  • WCU 1180
  • Liberty University 1150
  • Typical ACT score
  • WCU 22
  • Liberty University 25
  • Average high school GPA
  • WCU 3.44
  • Liberty University 3.56
  • Typical high school grades
  • WCU B+
  • Liberty University A-
  • Admissions standards
  • WCU Moderate
  • Liberty University Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • WCU
  • Liberty University
  • SAT range
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • Liberty University 1040-1250
  • ACT range
  • WCU 19-25
  • Liberty University 21-29
  • Submit test scores
  • WCU Test optional
  • Liberty University Open admission
  • Application deadline
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Liberty University
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WCU $4,630
  • Liberty University $22,465
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WCU $8,630
  • Liberty University $22,465
  • Room & board
  • WCU $12,354
  • Liberty University $13,835
  • Average net price
  • WCU $13,767
  • Liberty University $29,532
  • Average grant aid
  • WCU $5,993
  • Liberty University $12,489
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WCU 81%
  • Liberty University 97%
  • Graduation rate
  • WCU 50%
  • Liberty University 47%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WCU $39,100
  • Liberty University $39,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • WCU 58%
  • Liberty University 36%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WCU $22,010
  • Liberty University $24,166
  • Median loan payment
  • WCU $227
  • Liberty University $249
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WCU 16:1
  • Liberty University 18:1
  • Popular majors
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Liberty University
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies (17%)
    • Business (17%)
    • Psychology (14%)
    • General Studies (14%)
    • Health Professions (6%)
  • Location
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Liberty University Lynchburg, VA
  • Setting
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Liberty University Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • WCU 11,686
  • Liberty University 104,327
  • Type
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • Liberty University Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WCU #698
  • Liberty University #850

Comparable Facts

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

Liberty University is larger than WCU based on total student enrollment (104,327 students vs. 11,686 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Carolina University is located in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting); Liberty University is in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting).
  • Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Liberty University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Carolina University 16:1; Liberty University 18:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 10.7% lower than at Liberty University ($12,354 vs. $13,835).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 160.3% higher at Liberty University than at Western Carolina University (about $13,835 more per year; $22,465 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Liberty University than at Western Carolina University (97% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Liberty University students is 108.4% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($12,489 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Liberty University than at WCU (25 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at WCU, open admission at Liberty University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Liberty University average a 3.56 high school GPA, 0.12 higher than at WCU (3.44).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at WCU vs. 24.4% at Liberty University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $2,156 lower median loan debt than Liberty University graduates ($22,010 vs. $24,166).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Liberty University graduates ($227 vs. $249).
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Liberty University students, three years after graduation (58% vs. 36%).

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

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