WCU vs. Southern Adventist University

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC with Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Carolina University is larger than Southern Adventist University based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 3,229 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Carolina University is located in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting); Southern Adventist University is in Collegedale, TN (Large Suburban setting).
• Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Adventist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Carolina University 16:1; Southern Adventist University 19:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Adventist University are 28% lower than at Western Carolina University ($8,900 vs. $12,354).
• Out-of-state tuition is 216.3% higher at Southern Adventist University than at Western Carolina University (about $18,670 more per year; $27,300 vs. $8,630).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Adventist University than at Western Carolina University (99% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Adventist University students is 115.3% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($12,904 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

• Incoming WCU students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 22) as students at Southern Adventist University (22).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both WCU and Southern Adventist University.
• Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Southern Adventist University average a 3.59 high school GPA, 0.15 higher than at WCU (3.44).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at WCU vs. 36.9% at Southern Adventist University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $4,490 lower median loan debt than Southern Adventist University graduates ($22,010 vs. $26,500).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southern Adventist University graduates ($227 vs. $274).
• More Southern Adventist University 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.