WCU vs. UT Martin

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

Western Carolina University
The University of Tennessee Martin

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: WCU (81.8% admitted vs 88.2%). Typical SAT 1180 vs 1090.
  • Cheaper after aid: UT Martin. Average net price is $11,955 vs $13,767 at WCU.
  • Graduation: WCU 50% vs UT Martin 48%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WCU $39,100 vs UT Martin $39,100 (median).
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Key differences

Western Carolina University The University of Tennessee Martin
Acceptance rate
WCU more selective
WCU81.8%
UT Martin88.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WCU higher
WCU1080-1270
UT Martin970-1210
Average net price
UT Martin $1,812 less
WCU$13,767
UT Martin$11,955
In-state tuition
WCU $5,930 less
WCU$4,630
UT Martin$10,560
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $7,970 less
WCU$8,630
UT Martin$16,600
Graduation rate
WCU +2 pts
WCU50%
UT Martin48%
Median earnings (10 years)
WCU +$0
WCU$39,100
UT Martin$39,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • WCU 19,742
  • UT Martin 6,077
  • Admitted
  • WCU 16,154
  • UT Martin 5,360
  • Acceptance rate
  • WCU 81.8%
  • UT Martin 88.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WCU 12.7%
  • UT Martin 22.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • WCU 1180
  • UT Martin 1090
  • Typical ACT score
  • WCU 22
  • UT Martin 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • WCU 3.44
  • UT Martin 3.6
  • Typical high school grades
  • WCU B+
  • UT Martin A-
  • Admissions standards
  • WCU Moderate
  • UT Martin Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • WCU
  • UT Martin
  • SAT range
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • UT Martin 970-1210
  • ACT range
  • WCU 19-25
  • UT Martin 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • WCU Test optional
  • UT Martin Required
  • Application deadline
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • UT Martin
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WCU $4,630
  • UT Martin $10,560
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WCU $8,630
  • UT Martin $16,600
  • Room & board
  • WCU $12,354
  • UT Martin $7,544
  • Average net price
  • WCU $13,767
  • UT Martin $11,955
  • Average grant aid
  • WCU $5,993
  • UT Martin $10,861
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WCU 81%
  • UT Martin 98%
  • Graduation rate
  • WCU 50%
  • UT Martin 48%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WCU $39,100
  • UT Martin $39,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • WCU 58%
  • UT Martin 54%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WCU $22,010
  • UT Martin $23,500
  • Median loan payment
  • WCU $227
  • UT Martin $242
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WCU 16:1
  • UT Martin 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • UT Martin
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (14%)
    • General Studies (13%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
    • Agriculture (7%)
  • Location
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • UT Martin Martin, TN
  • Setting
  • WCU Distant Town
  • UT Martin Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • WCU 11,686
  • UT Martin 7,499
  • Type
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • UT Martin Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WCU #698
  • UT Martin #803

Comparable Facts

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

Western Carolina University is larger than UT Martin based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 7,499 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Martin are 38.9% lower than at Western Carolina University ($7,544 vs. $12,354).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 92.4% higher at UT Martin than at Western Carolina University (about $7,970 more per year; $16,600 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Martin than at Western Carolina University (98% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee Martin students is 81.2% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($10,861 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Incoming WCU students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 22) as students at UT Martin (22).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at WCU, required at UT Martin.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at UT Martin average a 3.6 high school GPA, 0.16 higher than at WCU (3.44).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at WCU vs. 22.8% at UT Martin.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $1,490 lower median loan debt than UT Martin graduates ($22,010 vs. $23,500).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UT Martin graduates ($227 vs. $242).
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UT Martin students, three years after graduation (58% vs. 54%).

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

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