WCU vs. Lincoln Memorial University

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

Western Carolina University
Lincoln Memorial University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Lincoln Memorial University (62.6% admitted vs 81.8%). Typical SAT 1110 vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: WCU. Average net price is $13,767 vs $21,447 at Lincoln Memorial University.
  • Graduation: WCU 50% vs Lincoln Memorial University 49%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WCU $39,100 vs Lincoln Memorial University $38,900 (median).
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Key differences

Western Carolina University Lincoln Memorial University
Acceptance rate
Lincoln Memorial University more selective
WCU81.8%
Lincoln Memorial University62.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WCU higher
WCU1080-1270
Lincoln Memorial University1000-1210
Average net price
WCU $7,680 less
WCU$13,767
Lincoln Memorial University$21,447
In-state tuition
WCU $22,308 less
WCU$4,630
Lincoln Memorial University$26,938
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $18,308 less
WCU$8,630
Lincoln Memorial University$26,938
Graduation rate
WCU +1 pts
WCU50%
Lincoln Memorial University49%
Median earnings (10 years)
WCU +$200
WCU$39,100
Lincoln Memorial University$38,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • WCU 19,742
  • Lincoln Memorial University 3,603
  • Admitted
  • WCU 16,154
  • Lincoln Memorial University 2,255
  • Acceptance rate
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Lincoln Memorial University 62.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Lincoln Memorial University 15.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • WCU 1180
  • Lincoln Memorial University 1110
  • Typical ACT score
  • WCU 22
  • Lincoln Memorial University 21
  • Average high school GPA
  • WCU 3.44
  • Lincoln Memorial University 3.29
  • Typical high school grades
  • WCU B+
  • Lincoln Memorial University B+
  • Admissions standards
  • WCU Moderate
  • Lincoln Memorial University Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • WCU
  • Lincoln Memorial University Low
  • SAT range
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • Lincoln Memorial University 1000-1210
  • ACT range
  • WCU 19-25
  • Lincoln Memorial University 18-24
  • Submit test scores
  • WCU Test optional
  • Lincoln Memorial University Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Lincoln Memorial University
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WCU $4,630
  • Lincoln Memorial University $26,938
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WCU $8,630
  • Lincoln Memorial University $26,938
  • Room & board
  • WCU $12,354
  • Lincoln Memorial University $12,226
  • Average net price
  • WCU $13,767
  • Lincoln Memorial University $21,447
  • Average grant aid
  • WCU $5,993
  • Lincoln Memorial University $20,081
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WCU 81%
  • Lincoln Memorial University 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • WCU 50%
  • Lincoln Memorial University 49%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WCU $39,100
  • Lincoln Memorial University $38,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • WCU 58%
  • Lincoln Memorial University 59%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WCU $22,010
  • Lincoln Memorial University $17,020
  • Median loan payment
  • WCU $227
  • Lincoln Memorial University $175
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WCU 16:1
  • Lincoln Memorial University 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Lincoln Memorial University
    • Health Professions (53%)
    • Business (21%)
    • Education (7%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (3%)
    • English and Literature (3%)
  • Location
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Lincoln Memorial University Harrogate, TN
  • Setting
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Lincoln Memorial University Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • WCU 11,686
  • Lincoln Memorial University 6,081
  • Type
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • Lincoln Memorial University Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WCU #698
  • Lincoln Memorial University #457

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC with Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Carolina University is larger than Lincoln Memorial University based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 6,081 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Carolina University is located in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting); Lincoln Memorial University is in Harrogate, TN (Distant Town setting).
  • Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Lincoln Memorial University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Carolina University 16:1; Lincoln Memorial University 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lincoln Memorial University are 1% lower than at Western Carolina University ($12,226 vs. $12,354).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 212.1% higher at Lincoln Memorial University than at Western Carolina University (about $18,308 more per year; $26,938 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lincoln Memorial University than at Western Carolina University (100% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lincoln Memorial University students is 235.1% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($20,081 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at WCU than at Lincoln Memorial University (22 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both WCU and Lincoln Memorial University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WCU average a 3.44 high school GPA, 0.15 higher than at Lincoln Memorial University (3.29).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at WCU vs. 15.8% at Lincoln Memorial University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Lincoln Memorial University graduates have a $4,990 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($17,020 vs. $22,010).
  • Among borrowers, Lincoln Memorial University graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($175 vs. $227).
  • More Lincoln Memorial University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation (59% vs. 58%).

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

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