WCU vs. West Virginia Wesleyan College

Should I go to Western Carolina University or West Virginia Wesleyan College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if WCU or West Virginia Wesleyan College is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Western Carolina University vs. West Virginia Wesleyan College comparison
Western Carolina University West Virginia Wesleyan College College 3 College 4
Western Carolina University
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Overview

WCU West Virginia Wesleyan College
Location Cullowhee, NC Buckhannon, WV
Setting Distant Town Remote Town
Enrollment 11,635 951
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #763
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wcu.edu wvwc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

WCU West Virginia Wesleyan College
Tuition (In State) $1,000 $31,698
Tuition (Out of State) $5,000 $31,698
Room & Board $11,173 $10,660
Avg Net Price $13,022 $20,470
Avg Grant Aid $4,526 $26,575
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

WCU West Virginia Wesleyan College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 17,917 1,481
Admitted 15,201 1,427
Acceptance Rate 84.8% 96.4%
Enrolled % 12.7% 19.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.44 3.52
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/26 18/23
SAT Range 1020/1240 910/1180
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

Academics

WCU West Virginia Wesleyan College
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (20%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Physical Sciences (8%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

WCU West Virginia Wesleyan College
Graduation Rate 50% 55%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,100 $46,600
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 68%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,010 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $227 $279

Diversity

WCU West Virginia Wesleyan College
% Men 41% 47%
% Women 59% 53%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 79%
% Black 6% 9%
% Hispanic 6% 2%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 1% 5%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

WCU West Virginia Wesleyan College
% In-State 80% 49%
% Out-of-State 18% 43%

Campus

WCU West Virginia Wesleyan College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Western Carolina University is larger than than West Virginia Wesleyan College based on total student enrollment (11,635 students vs. 951 students)

WCU vs. West Virginia Wesleyan College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU or West Virginia Wesleyan College?

  • West Virginia Wesleyan College is 3,069.8% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($31,698.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 534% higher at West Virginia Wesleyan College than Western Carolina University ($31,698.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than West Virginia Wesleyan College ($13,022 vs. $20,470)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Virginia Wesleyan College are 4.8% lower than costs at Western Carolina University ($10,660 vs. $11,173)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at West Virginia Wesleyan College than Western Carolina University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by West Virginia Wesleyan College students is 487.2% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($26,575 vs. $4,526)

WCU vs. West Virginia Wesleyan College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WCU or West Virginia Wesleyan College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between West Virginia Wesleyan College or WCU .

  • The average SAT score at Western Carolina University (1032) is 17 points higher than at West Virginia Wesleyan College (1015)
  • Incoming West Virginia Wesleyan College students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at WCU (22)
  • Accepted freshman West Virginia Wesleyan College students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at WCU (3.44)
  • West Virginia Wesleyan College has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than WCU (84.8%)

WCU vs. West Virginia Wesleyan College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WCU or West Virginia Wesleyan College? 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 West Virginia Wesleyan College and WCU.

  • The graduation rate at West Virginia Wesleyan College is higher than Western Carolina University (55% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from West Virginia Wesleyan College earn on average $7,500 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($46,600 vs. $39,100)
  • Western Carolina University students graduate with a $4,990 lower median federal student loan debt than West Virginia Wesleyan College graduates. ($22,010 vs. $27,000)
  • WCU graduates are paying $52 less per month on federal student loans than West Virginia Wesleyan College graduates. ($227 vs. $279)
  • More West Virginia Wesleyan College 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/