WCU vs. SWU

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

Western Carolina University
Southern Wesleyan University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: WCU (81.8% admitted vs 99.5%). Typical SAT 1180 vs 1130.
  • Cheaper after aid: WCU. Average net price is $13,767 vs $20,134 at SWU.
  • Graduation: WCU 50% vs SWU 42%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WCU $39,100 vs SWU $44,800 (median).
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Key differences

Western Carolina University Southern Wesleyan University
Acceptance rate
WCU more selective
WCU81.8%
SWU99.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WCU higher
WCU1080-1270
SWU1040-1210
Average net price
WCU $6,367 less
WCU$13,767
SWU$20,134
In-state tuition
WCU $25,170 less
WCU$4,630
SWU$29,800
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $21,170 less
WCU$8,630
SWU$29,800
Graduation rate
WCU +8 pts
WCU50%
SWU42%
Median earnings (10 years)
SWU +$5,700
WCU$39,100
SWU$44,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • WCU 19,742
  • SWU 427
  • Admitted
  • WCU 16,154
  • SWU 425
  • Acceptance rate
  • WCU 81.8%
  • SWU 99.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WCU 12.7%
  • SWU 33.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • WCU 1180
  • SWU 1130
  • Typical ACT score
  • WCU 22
  • SWU 25
  • Average high school GPA
  • WCU 3.44
  • SWU 4.0
  • Typical high school grades
  • WCU B+
  • SWU A/A+
  • Admissions standards
  • WCU Moderate
  • SWU Average
  • Applicant competition
  • WCU
  • SWU
  • SAT range
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • SWU 1040-1210
  • ACT range
  • WCU 19-25
  • SWU 22-28
  • Submit test scores
  • WCU Test optional
  • SWU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • SWU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WCU $4,630
  • SWU $29,800
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WCU $8,630
  • SWU $29,800
  • Room & board
  • WCU $12,354
  • SWU $10,126
  • Average net price
  • WCU $13,767
  • SWU $20,134
  • Average grant aid
  • WCU $5,993
  • SWU $19,498
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WCU 81%
  • SWU 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • WCU 50%
  • SWU 42%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WCU $39,100
  • SWU $44,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • WCU 58%
  • SWU 50%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WCU $22,010
  • SWU $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • WCU $227
  • SWU $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WCU 16:1
  • SWU 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • SWU
    • Business (66%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies (3%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (3%)
    • Psychology (3%)
  • Location
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • SWU Central, SC
  • Setting
  • WCU Distant Town
  • SWU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • WCU 11,686
  • SWU 980
  • Type
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • SWU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WCU #698
  • SWU

Comparable Facts

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

Western Carolina University is larger than SWU based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 980 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Carolina University is located in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting); Southern Wesleyan University is in Central, SC (Distant Town setting).
  • Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Carolina University 16:1; Southern Wesleyan University 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Wesleyan University are 18% lower than at Western Carolina University ($10,126 vs. $12,354).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 245.3% higher at SWU than at Western Carolina University (about $21,170 more per year; $29,800 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Wesleyan University than at Western Carolina University (100% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students is 225.3% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($19,498 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at SWU than at WCU (25 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both WCU and SWU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at SWU average a 4.0 high school GPA, 0.56 higher than at WCU (3.44).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at WCU vs. 33.4% at SWU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $4,990 lower median loan debt than SWU graduates ($22,010 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SWU graduates ($227 vs. $279).
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SWU students, three years after graduation (58% vs. 50%).

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

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