WCU vs. Otterbein University

Should I go to Western Carolina University or Otterbein University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if WCU or Otterbein University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Western Carolina University vs. Otterbein University comparison
Western Carolina University Otterbein University College 3 College 4
Western Carolina University Otterbein University
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Overview

WCU Otterbein University
Location Cullowhee, NC Westerville, OH
Setting Distant Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 11,635 2,458
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #763 #542
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wcu.edu otterbein.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

WCU Otterbein University
Tuition (In State) $1,000 $33,824
Tuition (Out of State) $5,000 $33,824
Room & Board $11,173 $11,988
Avg Net Price $13,022 $22,661
Avg Grant Aid $4,526 $24,060
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

WCU Otterbein University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 17,917 3,762
Admitted 15,201 3,148
Acceptance Rate 84.8% 83.7%
Enrolled % 12.7% 17.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.44 3.66
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/26 20/27
SAT Range 1020/1240 1035/1260
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 Otterbein University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (20%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (15%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Education (11%)

Outcomes

WCU Otterbein University
Graduation Rate 50% 62%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,100 $44,800
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 69%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,010 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $227 $279

Diversity

WCU Otterbein University
% Men 41% 39%
% Women 59% 61%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 76%
% Black 6% 6%
% Hispanic 6% 2%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 10%

Students

WCU Otterbein University
% In-State 80% 88%
% Out-of-State 18% 12%

Campus

WCU Otterbein University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Western Carolina University is larger than than Otterbein University based on total student enrollment (11,635 students vs. 2,458 students)

WCU vs. Otterbein University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU or Otterbein University?

  • Otterbein University is 3,282.4% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($33,824.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 576.5% higher at Otterbein University than Western Carolina University ($33,824.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than Otterbein University ($13,022 vs. $22,661)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 7.3% lower than costs at Otterbein University ($11,173 vs. $11,988)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Otterbein University than Western Carolina University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Otterbein University students is 431.6% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($24,060 vs. $4,526)

WCU vs. Otterbein University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WCU or Otterbein University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Otterbein University or WCU .

  • The average SAT score at Otterbein University (1120) is 88 points higher than at WCU (1032)
  • Incoming Otterbein University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at WCU (22)
  • Accepted freshman Otterbein University students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at WCU (3.44)
  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Otterbein University (83.7%)

WCU vs. Otterbein University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WCU or Otterbein University? 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 Otterbein University and WCU.

  • The graduation rate at Otterbein University is higher than Western Carolina University (62% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from Otterbein University earn on average $5,700 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($44,800 vs. $39,100)
  • Western Carolina University students graduate with a $4,990 lower median federal student loan debt than Otterbein University graduates. ($22,010 vs. $27,000)
  • WCU graduates are paying $52 less per month on federal student loans 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/