WCU vs. OWU

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC with Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Carolina University is larger than OWU based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 1,525 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Carolina University is located in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting); Ohio Wesleyan University is in Delaware, OH (Distant Town setting).
• Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Ohio Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Carolina University 16:1; Ohio Wesleyan University 12:1.

WCU vs. OWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU or OWU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than OWU ($13,767 vs. $23,006).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 15.9% lower than at Ohio Wesleyan University ($12,354 vs. $14,684).
• Ohio Wesleyan University is 1,063.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $49,258 more per year; $53,888.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 524.4% higher at OWU than at Western Carolina University (about $45,258 more per year; $53,888.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ohio Wesleyan University than at Western Carolina University (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ohio Wesleyan University students is 658.9% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($45,481 vs. $5,993).

WCU vs. OWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WCU or OWU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between OWU and WCU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ohio Wesleyan University (1230) is 50 points higher than at WCU (1180).
• Incoming OWU students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 22 at WCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Carolina University 1080/1270; Ohio Wesleyan University 1105/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Carolina University 19/25; Ohio Wesleyan University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WCU - Test optional; OWU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027; OWU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman OWU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at WCU (3.44).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (81.8%) than OWU (55.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at WCU vs. 12.6% at OWU.

WCU vs. OWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WCU and OWU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Ohio Wesleyan University's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Western Carolina University's (50%).
• Graduates from Ohio Wesleyan University earn a median of about $10,500 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,600 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $4,990 lower median loan debt than OWU graduates ($22,010 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OWU graduates ($227 vs. $279).
• More OWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 58%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.