WCU vs. OIT

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC with Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls, OR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Carolina University is larger than OIT based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 5,299 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Carolina University is located in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting); Oregon Institute of Technology is in Klamath Falls, OR (Remote Town setting).
• Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Oregon Institute of Technology is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Carolina University 16:1; Oregon Institute of Technology 17:1.

WCU vs. OIT Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU or OIT? 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 OIT ($13,767 vs. $16,831).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oregon Institute of Technology are 0.3% lower than at Western Carolina University ($12,315 vs. $12,354).
• Oregon Institute of Technology is 186.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $8,630 more per year; $13,260.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 331% higher at OIT than at Western Carolina University (about $28,566 more per year; $37,196.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oregon Institute of Technology than at Western Carolina University (95% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Oregon Institute of Technology students is 64.6% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($9,864 vs. $5,993).

WCU vs. OIT Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WCU or OIT? 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 OIT and WCU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Carolina University (1180) is 40 points higher than at OIT (1140).
• Incoming WCU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at OIT (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Carolina University 1080/1270; Oregon Institute of Technology 1000/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Carolina University 19/25; Oregon Institute of Technology 18/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WCU - Test optional; OIT - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027; OIT Sep 4, 2026.
• Accepted freshman OIT students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at WCU (3.44).
• OIT has a higher acceptance rate (95%) than WCU (81.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at WCU vs. 10.9% at OIT.

WCU vs. OIT Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WCU and OIT? 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).

• Western Carolina University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Oregon Institute of Technology's (42%).
• Graduates from Oregon Institute of Technology earn a median of about $16,200 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $865 lower median loan debt than OIT graduates ($22,010 vs. $22,875).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OIT graduates ($227 vs. $236).
• More OIT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.