WCU vs. Otterbein University

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

Western Carolina University
Otterbein University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: WCU (81.8% admitted vs 84.5%). Typical SAT 1180 vs 1150.
  • Cheaper after aid: WCU. Average net price is $13,767 vs $20,457 at Otterbein University.
  • Graduation: WCU 50% vs Otterbein University 62%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WCU $39,100 vs Otterbein University $44,800 (median).
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Key differences

Western Carolina University Otterbein University
Acceptance rate
WCU more selective
WCU81.8%
Otterbein University84.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WCU higher
WCU1080-1270
Otterbein University1035-1260
Average net price
WCU $6,690 less
WCU$13,767
Otterbein University$20,457
In-state tuition
WCU $30,918 less
WCU$4,630
Otterbein University$35,548
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $26,918 less
WCU$8,630
Otterbein University$35,548
Graduation rate
Otterbein University +12 pts
WCU50%
Otterbein University62%
Median earnings (10 years)
Otterbein University +$5,700
WCU$39,100
Otterbein University$44,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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Check my chances at WCU Check my chances at Otterbein University
  • Applied
  • WCU 19,742
  • Otterbein University 3,923
  • Admitted
  • WCU 16,154
  • Otterbein University 3,316
  • Acceptance rate
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Otterbein University 84.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Otterbein University 17.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • WCU 1180
  • Otterbein University 1150
  • Typical ACT score
  • WCU 22
  • Otterbein University 23
  • Average high school GPA
  • WCU 3.44
  • Otterbein University 3.66
  • Typical high school grades
  • WCU B+
  • Otterbein University A-
  • Admissions standards
  • WCU Moderate
  • Otterbein University Average
  • Applicant competition
  • WCU
  • Otterbein University
  • SAT range
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • Otterbein University 1035-1260
  • ACT range
  • WCU 19-25
  • Otterbein University 20-27
  • Submit test scores
  • WCU Test optional
  • Otterbein University Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Otterbein University
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WCU $4,630
  • Otterbein University $35,548
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WCU $8,630
  • Otterbein University $35,548
  • Room & board
  • WCU $12,354
  • Otterbein University $13,236
  • Average net price
  • WCU $13,767
  • Otterbein University $20,457
  • Average grant aid
  • WCU $5,993
  • Otterbein University $27,923
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WCU 81%
  • Otterbein University 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • WCU 50%
  • Otterbein University 62%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WCU $39,100
  • Otterbein University $44,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • WCU 58%
  • Otterbein University 69%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WCU $22,010
  • Otterbein University $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • WCU $227
  • Otterbein University $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WCU 16:1
  • Otterbein University 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Otterbein University
    • Visual and Performing Arts (15%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Communication (12%)
    • Education (11%)
  • Location
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Otterbein University Westerville, OH
  • Setting
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Otterbein University Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • WCU 11,686
  • Otterbein University 2,332
  • Type
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • Otterbein University Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WCU #698
  • Otterbein University #541

Comparable Facts

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

Western Carolina University is larger than Otterbein University based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 2,332 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 6.7% lower than at Otterbein University ($12,354 vs. $13,236).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 311.9% higher at Otterbein University than at Western Carolina University (about $26,918 more per year; $35,548 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Otterbein University than at Western Carolina University (100% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Otterbein University students is 365.9% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($27,923 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Otterbein University than at WCU (23 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both WCU and Otterbein University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Otterbein University average a 3.66 high school GPA, 0.22 higher than at WCU (3.44).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at WCU vs. 17.7% at Otterbein University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $4,990 lower median loan debt than Otterbein University graduates ($22,010 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Otterbein University graduates ($227 vs. $279).
  • More Otterbein University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation (69% 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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