WCU vs. Tennessee Tech

Western Carolina University and Tennessee Technological University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Western Carolina University
Tennessee Technological University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Tennessee Tech (76.1% admitted vs 81.8%). Typical SAT 1180 vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: WCU. Average net price is $13,767 vs $15,336 at Tennessee Tech.
  • Graduation: WCU 50% vs Tennessee Tech 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WCU $39,100 vs Tennessee Tech $43,400 (median).
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Key differences

Western Carolina University Tennessee Technological University
Acceptance rate
Tennessee Tech more selective
WCU81.8%
Tennessee Tech76.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Tennessee Tech higher
WCU1080-1270
Tennessee Tech1048-1310
Average net price
WCU $1,569 less
WCU$13,767
Tennessee Tech$15,336
In-state tuition
WCU $6,746 less
WCU$4,630
Tennessee Tech$11,376
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $6,946 less
WCU$8,630
Tennessee Tech$15,576
Graduation rate
WCU +0 pts
WCU50%
Tennessee Tech50%
Median earnings (10 years)
Tennessee Tech +$4,300
WCU$39,100
Tennessee Tech$43,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • WCU 19,742
  • Tennessee Tech 11,538
  • Admitted
  • WCU 16,154
  • Tennessee Tech 8,784
  • Acceptance rate
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Tennessee Tech 76.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Tennessee Tech 22.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • WCU 1180
  • Tennessee Tech 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • WCU 22
  • Tennessee Tech 23
  • Average high school GPA
  • WCU 3.44
  • Tennessee Tech 3.63
  • Typical high school grades
  • WCU B+
  • Tennessee Tech A-
  • Admissions standards
  • WCU Moderate
  • Tennessee Tech Average
  • Applicant competition
  • WCU
  • Tennessee Tech
  • SAT range
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • Tennessee Tech 1048-1310
  • ACT range
  • WCU 19-25
  • Tennessee Tech 20-27
  • Submit test scores
  • WCU Test optional
  • Tennessee Tech Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Tennessee Tech Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WCU $4,630
  • Tennessee Tech $11,376
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WCU $8,630
  • Tennessee Tech $15,576
  • Room & board
  • WCU $12,354
  • Tennessee Tech $13,302
  • Average net price
  • WCU $13,767
  • Tennessee Tech $15,336
  • Average grant aid
  • WCU $5,993
  • Tennessee Tech $10,458
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WCU 81%
  • Tennessee Tech 95%
  • Graduation rate
  • WCU 50%
  • Tennessee Tech 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WCU $39,100
  • Tennessee Tech $43,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • WCU 58%
  • Tennessee Tech 61%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WCU $22,010
  • Tennessee Tech $16,000
  • Median loan payment
  • WCU $227
  • Tennessee Tech $165
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WCU 16:1
  • Tennessee Tech 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Tennessee Tech
    • Education (21%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Engineering (14%)
    • Health Professions (6%)
    • Biology (5%)
  • Location
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Tennessee Tech Cookeville, TN
  • Setting
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Tennessee Tech Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • WCU 11,686
  • Tennessee Tech 10,511
  • Type
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • Tennessee Tech Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WCU #698
  • Tennessee Tech #500

Comparable Facts

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

Western Carolina University is larger than Tennessee Tech based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 10,511 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Carolina University is located in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting); Tennessee Technological University is in Cookeville, TN (Remote Town setting).
  • Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee Technological University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Carolina University 16:1; Tennessee Technological University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 7.1% lower than at Tennessee Technological University ($12,354 vs. $13,302).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 80.5% higher at Tennessee Tech than at Western Carolina University (about $6,946 more per year; $15,576 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Tennessee Technological University than at Western Carolina University (95% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Tennessee Technological University students is 74.5% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($10,458 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Tennessee Tech than at WCU (23 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both WCU and Tennessee Tech.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027; Tennessee Tech Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Tennessee Tech average a 3.63 high school GPA, 0.19 higher than at WCU (3.44).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at WCU vs. 22.8% at Tennessee Tech.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Tennessee Technological University graduates have a $6,010 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($16,000 vs. $22,010).
  • Among borrowers, Tennessee Tech graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($165 vs. $227).
  • More Tennessee Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation (61% 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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