WCU vs. University of Lynchburg

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

Western Carolina University
University of Lynchburg

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: University of Lynchburg (43% admitted vs 81.8%). Typical SAT 1110 vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: WCU. Average net price is $13,767 vs $23,845 at University of Lynchburg.
  • Graduation: WCU 50% vs University of Lynchburg 52%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WCU $39,100 vs University of Lynchburg $46,400 (median).
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Key differences

Western Carolina University University of Lynchburg
Acceptance rate
University of Lynchburg more selective
WCU81.8%
University of Lynchburg43%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WCU higher
WCU1080-1270
University of Lynchburg980-1230
Average net price
WCU $10,078 less
WCU$13,767
University of Lynchburg$23,845
In-state tuition
WCU $32,120 less
WCU$4,630
University of Lynchburg$36,750
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $28,120 less
WCU$8,630
University of Lynchburg$36,750
Graduation rate
University of Lynchburg +2 pts
WCU50%
University of Lynchburg52%
Median earnings (10 years)
University of Lynchburg +$7,300
WCU$39,100
University of Lynchburg$46,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • WCU 19,742
  • University of Lynchburg 6,948
  • Admitted
  • WCU 16,154
  • University of Lynchburg 2,988
  • Acceptance rate
  • WCU 81.8%
  • University of Lynchburg 43%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WCU 12.7%
  • University of Lynchburg 14.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • WCU 1180
  • University of Lynchburg 1110
  • Typical ACT score
  • WCU 22
  • University of Lynchburg
  • Average high school GPA
  • WCU 3.44
  • University of Lynchburg 3.53
  • Typical high school grades
  • WCU B+
  • University of Lynchburg A-
  • Admissions standards
  • WCU Moderate
  • University of Lynchburg Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • WCU
  • University of Lynchburg Low
  • SAT range
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • University of Lynchburg 980-1230
  • ACT range
  • WCU 19-25
  • University of Lynchburg
  • Submit test scores
  • WCU Test optional
  • University of Lynchburg Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • University of Lynchburg Sep 1, 2026
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WCU $4,630
  • University of Lynchburg $36,750
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WCU $8,630
  • University of Lynchburg $36,750
  • Room & board
  • WCU $12,354
  • University of Lynchburg $13,700
  • Average net price
  • WCU $13,767
  • University of Lynchburg $23,845
  • Average grant aid
  • WCU $5,993
  • University of Lynchburg $26,491
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WCU 81%
  • University of Lynchburg 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • WCU 50%
  • University of Lynchburg 52%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WCU $39,100
  • University of Lynchburg $46,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • WCU 58%
  • University of Lynchburg 70%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WCU $22,010
  • University of Lynchburg $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • WCU $227
  • University of Lynchburg $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WCU 16:1
  • University of Lynchburg 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • University of Lynchburg
    • Health Professions (15%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Business (11%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Communication (8%)
  • Location
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • University of Lynchburg Lynchburg, VA
  • Setting
  • WCU Distant Town
  • University of Lynchburg Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • WCU 11,686
  • University of Lynchburg 2,316
  • Type
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • University of Lynchburg Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WCU #698
  • University of Lynchburg #560

Comparable Facts

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

Western Carolina University is larger than University of Lynchburg based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 2,316 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Carolina University is located in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting); University of Lynchburg is in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting).
  • Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Lynchburg is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Carolina University 16:1; University of Lynchburg 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 9.8% lower than at University of Lynchburg ($12,354 vs. $13,700).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 325.8% higher at University of Lynchburg than at Western Carolina University (about $28,120 more per year; $36,750 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Lynchburg than at Western Carolina University (100% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Lynchburg students is 342% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($26,491 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both WCU and University of Lynchburg.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027; University of Lynchburg Sep 1, 2026.
  • Enrolled first-year students at University of Lynchburg 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. 14.7% at University of Lynchburg.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $4,990 lower median loan debt than University of Lynchburg graduates ($22,010 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Lynchburg graduates ($227 vs. $279).
  • More University of Lynchburg graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation (70% 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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