Add a college to compare up to four schools
Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison.
ECU ASU UNC Charlotte UNCW University of North Carolina at Asheville ETSU UNCG NC State UNC Chapel Hill University of North Carolina at Pembroke BYU GS| Western Carolina University | Northern State University | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
||||
| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
WCU | NSU | ||
| Location | Cullowhee, NC | Aberdeen, SD | ||
| Setting | Distant Town | Remote Town | ||
| Enrollment | 11,635 | 3,344 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #763 | #820 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | wcu.edu | northern.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
WCU | NSU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $1,000 | $7,616 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $5,000 | $10,718 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,173 | $9,150 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $13,022 | $17,264 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $4,526 | $5,715 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 99% | 91% |
Admission |
WCU | NSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 17,917 | 1,322 | ||
| Admitted | 15,201 | 1,033 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 84.8% | 78.1% | ||
| Enrolled % | 12.7% | 28.9% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.44 | 3.37 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Average | Very Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 19/26 | 18/24 | ||
| SAT Range | 1020/1240 | 800/1150 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Mar 1, 2024 |
Academics |
WCU | NSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 16:1 | 16:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
|
|
||
Outcomes |
WCU | NSU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 50% | 42% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $39,100 | $37,400 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 58% | 63% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $22,010 | $24,399 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $227 | $252 |
Diversity |
WCU | NSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 41% | 37% | ||
| % Women | 59% | 63% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | Very Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 79% | 83% | ||
| % Black | 6% | 2% | ||
| % Hispanic | 6% | 4% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 3% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 4% | 2% | ||
| % International | 1% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 0% |
Students |
WCU | NSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 80% | 69% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 18% | 30% | ||
Campus |
WCU | NSU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Western Carolina University is larger than than NSU based on total student enrollment (11,635 students vs. 3,344 students)
WCU vs. NSU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, WCU or NSU?
- Northern State University is 661.6% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($7,616.00 vs. $1,000.00)
- Out of state tuition is 114.4% higher at NSU than Western Carolina University ($10,718.00 vs. $5,000.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than NSU ($13,022 vs. $17,264)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 22.1% lower than costs at Western Carolina University ($9,150 vs. $11,173)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Western Carolina University than Northern State University (99% vs. 91%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Northern State University students is 26.3% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($5,715 vs. $4,526)
WCU vs. NSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, WCU or NSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NSU or WCU .
- The average SAT score at Western Carolina University (1032) is 8 points higher than at NSU (1024)
- Incoming WCU students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at NSU (22)
- Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at NSU (3.37)
- WCU has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than NSU (78.1%)
WCU vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, WCU or NSU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between NSU and WCU.
- The graduation rate at WCU is higher than Northern State University (50% vs. 42%)
- Graduates from Western Carolina University earn on average $1,700 more per year than NSU graduates after ten years. ($39,100 vs. $37,400)
- Western Carolina University students graduate with a $2,389 lower median federal student loan debt than NSU graduates. ($22,010 vs. $24,399)
- WCU graduates are paying $25 less per month on federal student loans than NSU graduates. ($227 vs. $252)
- More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 58%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/