WCU vs. Randolph

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

Western Carolina University
Randolph College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: WCU (81.8% admitted vs 93.7%). Typical SAT 1180 vs 1160.
  • Cheaper after aid: WCU. Average net price is $13,767 vs $21,668 at Randolph.
  • Graduation: WCU 50% vs Randolph 63%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WCU $39,100 vs Randolph $43,200 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Western Carolina University Randolph College
Acceptance rate
WCU more selective
WCU81.8%
Randolph93.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WCU higher
WCU1080-1270
Randolph1100-1210
Average net price
WCU $7,901 less
WCU$13,767
Randolph$21,668
In-state tuition
WCU $25,680 less
WCU$4,630
Randolph$30,310
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $21,680 less
WCU$8,630
Randolph$30,310
Graduation rate
Randolph +13 pts
WCU50%
Randolph63%
Median earnings (10 years)
Randolph +$4,100
WCU$39,100
Randolph$43,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at WCU and Randolph with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at WCU Check my chances at Randolph
  • Applied
  • WCU 19,742
  • Randolph 2,416
  • Admitted
  • WCU 16,154
  • Randolph 2,264
  • Acceptance rate
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Randolph 93.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Randolph 11.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • WCU 1180
  • Randolph 1160
  • Typical ACT score
  • WCU 22
  • Randolph 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • WCU 3.44
  • Randolph 3.35
  • Typical high school grades
  • WCU B+
  • Randolph B+
  • Admissions standards
  • WCU Moderate
  • Randolph Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • WCU
  • Randolph
  • SAT range
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • Randolph 1100-1210
  • ACT range
  • WCU 19-25
  • Randolph 19-26
  • Submit test scores
  • WCU Test optional
  • Randolph Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Randolph
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WCU $4,630
  • Randolph $30,310
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WCU $8,630
  • Randolph $30,310
  • Room & board
  • WCU $12,354
  • Randolph $12,350
  • Average net price
  • WCU $13,767
  • Randolph $21,668
  • Average grant aid
  • WCU $5,993
  • Randolph $23,372
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WCU 81%
  • Randolph 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • WCU 50%
  • Randolph 63%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WCU $39,100
  • Randolph $43,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • WCU 58%
  • Randolph 63%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WCU $22,010
  • Randolph $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • WCU $227
  • Randolph $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WCU 16:1
  • Randolph 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Randolph
    • Social Sciences (24%)
    • History (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
    • Mathematics (8%)
  • Location
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Randolph Lynchburg, VA
  • Setting
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Randolph Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • WCU 11,686
  • Randolph 816
  • Type
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • Randolph Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WCU #698
  • Randolph

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC with Randolph College in Lynchburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Carolina University is larger than Randolph based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 816 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Carolina University is located in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting); Randolph College is in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting).
  • Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Randolph College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Carolina University 16:1; Randolph College 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Randolph College are 0% lower than at Western Carolina University ($12,350 vs. $12,354).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 251.2% higher at Randolph than at Western Carolina University (about $21,680 more per year; $30,310 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Randolph College than at Western Carolina University (100% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Randolph College students is 290% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($23,372 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Incoming WCU students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 22) as students at Randolph (22).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both WCU and Randolph.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WCU average a 3.44 high school GPA, 0.09 higher than at Randolph (3.35).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at WCU vs. 11.7% at Randolph.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $4,990 lower median loan debt than Randolph graduates ($22,010 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Randolph graduates ($227 vs. $279).
  • More Randolph 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Western Carolina University
Randolph College
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges