WCU vs. Milligan

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

Western Carolina University
Milligan University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Milligan (72.3% admitted vs 81.8%). Typical SAT 1200 vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: WCU. Average net price is $13,767 vs $21,165 at Milligan.
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Key differences

Western Carolina University Milligan University
Acceptance rate
Milligan more selective
WCU81.8%
Milligan72.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WCU higher
WCU1080-1270
Milligan1133-1268
Average net price
WCU $7,398 less
WCU$13,767
Milligan$21,165
In-state tuition
WCU $35,820 less
WCU$4,630
Milligan$40,450
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $31,820 less
WCU$8,630
Milligan$40,450
Graduation rate
WCU +50 pts
WCU50%
Milligan-
Median earnings (10 years)
WCU +$39,100
WCU$39,100
Milligan-

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • WCU 19,742
  • Milligan 1,079
  • Admitted
  • WCU 16,154
  • Milligan 780
  • Acceptance rate
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Milligan 72.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Milligan 27.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • WCU 1180
  • Milligan 1200
  • Typical ACT score
  • WCU 22
  • Milligan 24
  • Average high school GPA
  • WCU 3.44
  • Milligan 3.69
  • Typical high school grades
  • WCU B+
  • Milligan A-
  • Admissions standards
  • WCU Moderate
  • Milligan Average
  • Applicant competition
  • WCU
  • Milligan Low
  • SAT range
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • Milligan 1133-1268
  • ACT range
  • WCU 19-25
  • Milligan 22-27
  • Submit test scores
  • WCU Test optional
  • Milligan Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Milligan Aug 28, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WCU $4,630
  • Milligan $40,450
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WCU $8,630
  • Milligan $40,450
  • Room & board
  • WCU $12,354
  • Milligan $8,900
  • Average net price
  • WCU $13,767
  • Milligan $21,165
  • Average grant aid
  • WCU $5,993
  • Milligan $31,220
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WCU 81%
  • Milligan 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • WCU 50%
  • Milligan -
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WCU $39,100
  • Milligan N/A
  • Making student loan payments
  • WCU 58%
  • Milligan 66%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WCU $22,010
  • Milligan $25,500
  • Median loan payment
  • WCU $227
  • Milligan $263
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WCU 16:1
  • Milligan 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Milligan
  • Location
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Milligan Milligan, TN
  • Setting
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Milligan Midsize Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • WCU 11,686
  • Milligan 1,240
  • Type
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • Milligan Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WCU #698
  • Milligan

Comparable Facts

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

Western Carolina University is larger than Milligan based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 1,240 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Milligan University are 28% lower than at Western Carolina University ($8,900 vs. $12,354).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 368.7% higher at Milligan than at Western Carolina University (about $31,820 more per year; $40,450 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Milligan University than at Western Carolina University (100% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Milligan University students is 420.9% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($31,220 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Milligan than at WCU (24 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both WCU and Milligan.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027; Milligan Aug 28, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Milligan average a 3.69 high school GPA, 0.25 higher than at WCU (3.44).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at WCU vs. 27.6% at Milligan.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $3,490 lower median loan debt than Milligan graduates ($22,010 vs. $25,500).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Milligan graduates ($227 vs. $263).
  • More Milligan graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation (66% 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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