WCU vs. Roanoke College

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

Western Carolina University
Roanoke College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: WCU (81.8% admitted vs 83.1%). Typical SAT 1180 vs 1200.
  • Cheaper after aid: WCU. Average net price is $13,767 vs $26,044 at Roanoke College.
  • Graduation: WCU 50% vs Roanoke College 69%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WCU $39,100 vs Roanoke College $51,200 (median).
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Key differences

Western Carolina University Roanoke College
Acceptance rate
WCU more selective
WCU81.8%
Roanoke College83.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Roanoke College higher
WCU1080-1270
Roanoke College1090-1300
Average net price
WCU $12,277 less
WCU$13,767
Roanoke College$26,044
In-state tuition
WCU $33,438 less
WCU$4,630
Roanoke College$38,068
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $29,438 less
WCU$8,630
Roanoke College$38,068
Graduation rate
Roanoke College +19 pts
WCU50%
Roanoke College69%
Median earnings (10 years)
Roanoke College +$12,100
WCU$39,100
Roanoke College$51,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • WCU 19,742
  • Roanoke College 5,785
  • Admitted
  • WCU 16,154
  • Roanoke College 4,805
  • Acceptance rate
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Roanoke College 83.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Roanoke College 9.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • WCU 1180
  • Roanoke College 1200
  • Typical ACT score
  • WCU 22
  • Roanoke College 27
  • Average high school GPA
  • WCU 3.44
  • Roanoke College 3.56
  • Typical high school grades
  • WCU B+
  • Roanoke College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • WCU Moderate
  • Roanoke College Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • WCU
  • Roanoke College
  • SAT range
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • Roanoke College 1090-1300
  • ACT range
  • WCU 19-25
  • Roanoke College 24-31
  • Submit test scores
  • WCU Test optional
  • Roanoke College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Roanoke College
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WCU $4,630
  • Roanoke College $38,068
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WCU $8,630
  • Roanoke College $38,068
  • Room & board
  • WCU $12,354
  • Roanoke College $15,366
  • Average net price
  • WCU $13,767
  • Roanoke College $26,044
  • Average grant aid
  • WCU $5,993
  • Roanoke College $28,188
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WCU 81%
  • Roanoke College 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • WCU 50%
  • Roanoke College 69%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WCU $39,100
  • Roanoke College $51,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • WCU 58%
  • Roanoke College 75%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WCU $22,010
  • Roanoke College $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • WCU $227
  • Roanoke College $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WCU 16:1
  • Roanoke College 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Roanoke College
    • Business (25%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • History (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Location
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Roanoke College Salem, VA
  • Setting
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Roanoke College Midsize Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • WCU 11,686
  • Roanoke College 1,804
  • Type
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • Roanoke College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WCU #698
  • Roanoke College #369

Comparable Facts

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

Western Carolina University is larger than Roanoke College based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 1,804 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Carolina University is located in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting); Roanoke College is in Salem, VA (Midsize Suburban setting).
  • Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Roanoke College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Carolina University 16:1; Roanoke College 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 19.6% lower than at Roanoke College ($12,354 vs. $15,366).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 341.1% higher at Roanoke College than at Western Carolina University (about $29,438 more per year; $38,068 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Roanoke College than at Western Carolina University (100% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Roanoke College students is 370.3% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($28,188 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 5 points higher at Roanoke College than at WCU (27 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both WCU and Roanoke College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Roanoke College average a 3.56 high school GPA, 0.12 higher than at WCU (3.44).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at WCU vs. 9.7% at Roanoke College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $4,990 lower median loan debt than Roanoke College graduates ($22,010 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Roanoke College graduates ($227 vs. $279).
  • More Roanoke College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation (75% 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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