WCU vs. UTC

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

Western Carolina University
The University of Tennessee Chattanooga

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: UTC (81.1% admitted vs 81.8%). Typical SAT 1110 vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: WCU. Average net price is $13,767 vs $15,347 at UTC.
  • Graduation: WCU 50% vs UTC 39%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WCU $39,100 vs UTC $40,600 (median).
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Key differences

Western Carolina University The University of Tennessee Chattanooga
Acceptance rate
UTC more selective
WCU81.8%
UTC81.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WCU higher
WCU1080-1270
UTC1013-1210
Average net price
WCU $1,580 less
WCU$13,767
UTC$15,347
In-state tuition
WCU $5,818 less
WCU$4,630
UTC$10,448
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $9,882 less
WCU$8,630
UTC$18,512
Graduation rate
WCU +11 pts
WCU50%
UTC39%
Median earnings (10 years)
UTC +$1,500
WCU$39,100
UTC$40,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • WCU 19,742
  • UTC 10,494
  • Admitted
  • WCU 16,154
  • UTC 8,510
  • Acceptance rate
  • WCU 81.8%
  • UTC 81.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WCU 12.7%
  • UTC 29.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • WCU 1180
  • UTC 1110
  • Typical ACT score
  • WCU 22
  • UTC 23
  • Average high school GPA
  • WCU 3.44
  • UTC 3.61
  • Typical high school grades
  • WCU B+
  • UTC A-
  • Admissions standards
  • WCU Moderate
  • UTC Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • WCU
  • UTC
  • SAT range
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • UTC 1013-1210
  • ACT range
  • WCU 19-25
  • UTC 20-26
  • Submit test scores
  • WCU Test optional
  • UTC Required
  • Application deadline
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • UTC May 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WCU $4,630
  • UTC $10,448
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WCU $8,630
  • UTC $18,512
  • Room & board
  • WCU $12,354
  • UTC $12,604
  • Average net price
  • WCU $13,767
  • UTC $15,347
  • Average grant aid
  • WCU $5,993
  • UTC $10,038
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WCU 81%
  • UTC 92%
  • Graduation rate
  • WCU 50%
  • UTC 39%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WCU $39,100
  • UTC $40,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • WCU 58%
  • UTC 56%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WCU $22,010
  • UTC $20,792
  • Median loan payment
  • WCU $227
  • UTC $214
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WCU 16:1
  • UTC 18:1
  • Popular majors
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • UTC
    • Business (22%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Location
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • UTC Chattanooga, TN
  • Setting
  • WCU Distant Town
  • UTC Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • WCU 11,686
  • UTC 11,775
  • Type
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • UTC Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WCU #698
  • UTC #791

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is larger than WCU based on total student enrollment (11,775 students vs. 11,686 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Carolina University is located in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting); The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is in Chattanooga, TN (Midsize City setting).
  • Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Carolina University 16:1; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 18:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 2% lower than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga ($12,354 vs. $12,604).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 114.5% higher at UTC than at Western Carolina University (about $9,882 more per year; $18,512 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga than at Western Carolina University (92% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee Chattanooga students is 67.5% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($10,038 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at UTC than at WCU (23 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at WCU, required at UTC.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027; UTC May 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at UTC average a 3.61 high school GPA, 0.17 higher than at WCU (3.44).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at WCU vs. 29.2% at UTC.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Chattanooga graduates have a $1,218 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($20,792 vs. $22,010).
  • Among borrowers, UTC graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($214 vs. $227).
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UTC students, three years after graduation (58% vs. 56%).

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

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