WCU vs. SVU

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

Western Carolina University
Southern Virginia University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: WCU (81.8% admitted vs 96.4%). Typical SAT 1180 vs 1100.
  • Cheaper after aid: WCU. Average net price is $13,767 vs $24,561 at SVU.
  • Graduation: WCU 50% vs SVU 25%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WCU $39,100 vs SVU $40,600 (median).
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Key differences

Western Carolina University Southern Virginia University
Acceptance rate
WCU more selective
WCU81.8%
SVU96.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WCU higher
WCU1080-1270
SVU943-1253
Average net price
WCU $10,794 less
WCU$13,767
SVU$24,561
In-state tuition
WCU $16,650 less
WCU$4,630
SVU$21,280
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $12,650 less
WCU$8,630
SVU$21,280
Graduation rate
WCU +25 pts
WCU50%
SVU25%
Median earnings (10 years)
SVU +$1,500
WCU$39,100
SVU$40,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • WCU 19,742
  • SVU 1,451
  • Admitted
  • WCU 16,154
  • SVU 1,399
  • Acceptance rate
  • WCU 81.8%
  • SVU 96.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WCU 12.7%
  • SVU 21.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • WCU 1180
  • SVU 1100
  • Typical ACT score
  • WCU 22
  • SVU 21
  • Average high school GPA
  • WCU 3.44
  • SVU 3.19
  • Typical high school grades
  • WCU B+
  • SVU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • WCU Moderate
  • SVU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • WCU
  • SVU
  • SAT range
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • SVU 943-1253
  • ACT range
  • WCU 19-25
  • SVU 18-25
  • Submit test scores
  • WCU Test optional
  • SVU Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • SVU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WCU $4,630
  • SVU $21,280
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WCU $8,630
  • SVU $21,280
  • Room & board
  • WCU $12,354
  • SVU $9,894
  • Average net price
  • WCU $13,767
  • SVU $24,561
  • Average grant aid
  • WCU $5,993
  • SVU $10,041
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WCU 81%
  • SVU 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • WCU 50%
  • SVU 25%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WCU $39,100
  • SVU $40,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • WCU 58%
  • SVU 53%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WCU $22,010
  • SVU $23,654
  • Median loan payment
  • WCU $227
  • SVU $244
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WCU 16:1
  • SVU 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • SVU
    • Business (21%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (15%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (14%)
    • English and Literature (13%)
    • Work and Family Studies (12%)
  • Location
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • SVU Buena Vista, VA
  • Setting
  • WCU Distant Town
  • SVU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • WCU 11,686
  • SVU 936
  • Type
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • SVU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WCU #698
  • SVU

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC with Southern Virginia University in Buena Vista, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Carolina University is larger than SVU based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 936 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Carolina University is located in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting); Southern Virginia University is in Buena Vista, VA (Distant Town setting).
  • Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Virginia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Carolina University 16:1; Southern Virginia University 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Virginia University are 19.9% lower than at Western Carolina University ($9,894 vs. $12,354).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 146.6% higher at SVU than at Western Carolina University (about $12,650 more per year; $21,280 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Virginia University than at Western Carolina University (100% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Virginia University students is 67.5% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($10,041 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at WCU than at SVU (22 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at WCU, test-free at SVU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WCU average a 3.44 high school GPA, 0.25 higher than at SVU (3.19).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at WCU vs. 21.4% at SVU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $1,644 lower median loan debt than SVU graduates ($22,010 vs. $23,654).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SVU graduates ($227 vs. $244).
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SVU students, three years after graduation (58% vs. 53%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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