WCU vs. UNG

Western Carolina University and University of North Georgia side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Western Carolina University
University of North Georgia

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: UNG (67.9% admitted vs 81.8%). Typical SAT 1100 vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: UNG. Average net price is $11,157 vs $13,767 at WCU.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WCU $39,100 vs UNG $44,100 (median).
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Key differences

Western Carolina University University of North Georgia
Acceptance rate
UNG more selective
WCU81.8%
UNG67.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WCU higher
WCU1080-1270
UNG980-1210
Average net price
UNG $2,610 less
WCU$13,767
UNG$11,157
In-state tuition
WCU $655 less
WCU$4,630
UNG$5,285
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $7,873 less
WCU$8,630
UNG$16,503
Graduation rate
WCU +50 pts
WCU50%
UNG-
Median earnings (10 years)
UNG +$5,000
WCU$39,100
UNG$44,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • WCU 19,742
  • UNG 13,298
  • Admitted
  • WCU 16,154
  • UNG 9,035
  • Acceptance rate
  • WCU 81.8%
  • UNG 67.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WCU 12.7%
  • UNG 47.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • WCU 1180
  • UNG 1100
  • Typical ACT score
  • WCU 22
  • UNG 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • WCU 3.44
  • UNG 3.5
  • Typical high school grades
  • WCU B+
  • UNG A-
  • Admissions standards
  • WCU Moderate
  • UNG Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • WCU
  • UNG Low
  • SAT range
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • UNG 980-1210
  • ACT range
  • WCU 19-25
  • UNG 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • WCU Test optional
  • UNG Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • UNG Feb 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WCU $4,630
  • UNG $5,285
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WCU $8,630
  • UNG $16,503
  • Room & board
  • WCU $12,354
  • UNG $12,770
  • Average net price
  • WCU $13,767
  • UNG $11,157
  • Average grant aid
  • WCU $5,993
  • UNG $7,226
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WCU 81%
  • UNG 87%
  • Graduation rate
  • WCU 50%
  • UNG -
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WCU $39,100
  • UNG $44,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • WCU 58%
  • UNG 68%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WCU $22,010
  • UNG $16,500
  • Median loan payment
  • WCU $227
  • UNG $170
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WCU 16:1
  • UNG 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • UNG
  • Location
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • UNG Dahlonega, GA
  • Setting
  • WCU Distant Town
  • UNG Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • WCU 11,686
  • UNG 19,291
  • Type
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • UNG Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WCU #698
  • UNG

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC with University of North Georgia in Dahlonega, GA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of North Georgia is larger than WCU based on total student enrollment (19,291 students vs. 11,686 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Carolina University is located in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting); University of North Georgia is in Dahlonega, GA (Distant Town setting).
  • Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Georgia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Carolina University 16:1; University of North Georgia 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 3.3% lower than at University of North Georgia ($12,354 vs. $12,770).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 91.2% higher at UNG than at Western Carolina University (about $7,873 more per year; $16,503 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Georgia than at Western Carolina University (87% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Georgia students is 20.6% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($7,226 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Incoming WCU students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 22) as students at UNG (22).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both WCU and UNG.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027; UNG Feb 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at UNG average a 3.5 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at WCU (3.44).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at WCU vs. 47.9% at UNG.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Georgia graduates have a $5,510 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($16,500 vs. $22,010).
  • Among borrowers, UNG graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($170 vs. $227).
  • More UNG graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation (68% 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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