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ECU ASU Middle Tennessee State University UT Martin Arkansas State University UNC Charlotte UNCW University of North Carolina at Asheville Ole Miss Tennessee ETSU UNCG| Western Carolina University | University of Memphis | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
WCU | Memphis | ||
| Location | Cullowhee, NC | Memphis, TN | ||
| Setting | Distant Town | Large City | ||
| Enrollment | 11,635 | 21,917 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #763 | #883 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | wcu.edu | memphis.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
WCU | Memphis | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $1,000 | $8,352 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $5,000 | $12,576 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,173 | $10,126 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $13,022 | $13,873 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $4,526 | $9,625 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 99% | 98% |
Admission |
WCU | Memphis | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 17,917 | 15,767 | ||
| Admitted | 15,201 | 14,916 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 84.8% | 94.6% | ||
| Enrolled % | 12.7% | 16.2% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.44 | 3.48 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Average | Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 19/26 | 17/24 | ||
| SAT Range | 1020/1240 | 930/1230 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Mar 1, 2024 | Jul 1, 2024 |
Academics |
WCU | Memphis | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 16:1 | 17:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
WCU | Memphis | ||
| Graduation Rate | 50% | 38% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $39,100 | $42,200 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 58% | 37% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $22,010 | $25,250 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $227 | $261 |
Diversity |
WCU | Memphis | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 41% | 40% | ||
| % Women | 59% | 60% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | High | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 79% | 50% | ||
| % Black | 6% | 37% | ||
| % Hispanic | 6% | 4% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 4% | 4% | ||
| % International | 1% | 1% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 0% |
Students |
WCU | Memphis | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 80% | 81% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 18% | 17% | ||
Campus |
WCU | Memphis | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- University of Memphis is larger than than WCU based on total student enrollment (21,917 students vs. 11,635 students)
WCU vs. Memphis Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, WCU or Memphis?
- University of Memphis is 735.2% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($8,352.00 vs. $1,000.00)
- Out of state tuition is 151.5% higher at Memphis than Western Carolina University ($12,576.00 vs. $5,000.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than Memphis ($13,022 vs. $13,873)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Memphis are 10.3% lower than costs at Western Carolina University ($10,126 vs. $11,173)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Western Carolina University than University of Memphis (99% vs. 98%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by University of Memphis students is 112.7% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($9,625 vs. $4,526)
WCU vs. Memphis Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, WCU or Memphis? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Memphis or WCU .
- The average SAT score at Western Carolina University (1032) is 3 points higher than at Memphis (1029)
- Incoming WCU students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Memphis (22)
- Accepted freshman Memphis students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at WCU (3.44)
- Memphis has a higher acceptance rate (94.6%) than WCU (84.8%)
WCU vs. Memphis Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, WCU or Memphis? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Memphis and WCU.
- The graduation rate at WCU is higher than University of Memphis (50% vs. 38%)
- Graduates from University of Memphis earn on average $3,100 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($42,200 vs. $39,100)
- Western Carolina University students graduate with a $3,240 lower median federal student loan debt than Memphis graduates. ($22,010 vs. $25,250)
- WCU graduates are paying $34 less per month on federal student loans than Memphis graduates. ($227 vs. $261)
- More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Memphis students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 37%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/