WCU vs. WVU

Western Carolina University and West Virginia University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Western Carolina University
West Virginia University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: WCU (81.8% admitted vs 89%). Typical SAT 1180 vs 1120.
  • Cheaper after aid: WCU. Average net price is $13,767 vs $15,169 at WVU.
  • Graduation: WCU 50% vs WVU 57%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WCU $39,100 vs WVU $50,600 (median).
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Key differences

Western Carolina University West Virginia University
Acceptance rate
WCU more selective
WCU81.8%
WVU89%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WCU higher
WCU1080-1270
WVU1010-1220
Average net price
WCU $1,402 less
WCU$13,767
WVU$15,169
In-state tuition
WCU $5,474 less
WCU$4,630
WVU$10,104
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $19,978 less
WCU$8,630
WVU$28,608
Graduation rate
WVU +7 pts
WCU50%
WVU57%
Median earnings (10 years)
WVU +$11,500
WCU$39,100
WVU$50,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • WCU 19,742
  • WVU 18,729
  • Admitted
  • WCU 16,154
  • WVU 16,669
  • Acceptance rate
  • WCU 81.8%
  • WVU 89%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WCU 12.7%
  • WVU 24.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • WCU 1180
  • WVU 1120
  • Typical ACT score
  • WCU 22
  • WVU 23
  • Average high school GPA
  • WCU 3.44
  • WVU 3.45
  • Typical high school grades
  • WCU B+
  • WVU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • WCU Moderate
  • WVU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • WCU
  • WVU
  • SAT range
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • WVU 1010-1220
  • ACT range
  • WCU 19-25
  • WVU 20-26
  • Submit test scores
  • WCU Test optional
  • WVU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • WVU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WCU $4,630
  • WVU $10,104
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WCU $8,630
  • WVU $28,608
  • Room & board
  • WCU $12,354
  • WVU $14,582
  • Average net price
  • WCU $13,767
  • WVU $15,169
  • Average grant aid
  • WCU $5,993
  • WVU $12,363
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WCU 81%
  • WVU 94%
  • Graduation rate
  • WCU 50%
  • WVU 57%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WCU $39,100
  • WVU $50,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • WCU 58%
  • WVU 59%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WCU $22,010
  • WVU $24,001
  • Median loan payment
  • WCU $227
  • WVU $248
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WCU 16:1
  • WVU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • WVU
    • Business (12%)
    • Engineering (11%)
    • General Studies (10%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
  • Location
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • WVU Morgantown, WV
  • Setting
  • WCU Distant Town
  • WVU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • WCU 11,686
  • WVU 23,643
  • Type
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • WVU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WCU #698
  • WVU #566

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC with West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

West Virginia University is larger than WCU based on total student enrollment (23,643 students vs. 11,686 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Carolina University is located in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting); West Virginia University is in Morgantown, WV (Small City setting).
  • Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Carolina University 16:1; West Virginia University 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 15.3% lower than at West Virginia University ($12,354 vs. $14,582).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 231.5% higher at WVU than at Western Carolina University (about $19,978 more per year; $28,608 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at West Virginia University than at Western Carolina University (94% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by West Virginia University students is 106.3% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($12,363 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at WVU than at WCU (23 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both WCU and WVU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WVU average a 3.45 high school GPA, 0.01 higher than at WCU (3.44).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at WCU vs. 24.8% at WVU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $1,991 lower median loan debt than WVU graduates ($22,010 vs. $24,001).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WVU graduates ($227 vs. $248).
  • More WVU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation (59% 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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