WCU vs. Wilmington College

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC with Wilmington College in Wilmington, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Carolina University is larger than Wilmington College based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 1,040 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Carolina University is located in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting); Wilmington College is in Wilmington, OH (Rural Fringe setting).
• Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wilmington College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Carolina University 16:1; Wilmington College 12:1.

WCU vs. Wilmington College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU or Wilmington College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than Wilmington College ($13,767 vs. $26,548).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wilmington College are 3.5% lower than at Western Carolina University ($11,923 vs. $12,354).
• Wilmington College is 592.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $27,452 more per year; $32,082.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 271.7% higher at Wilmington College than at Western Carolina University (about $23,452 more per year; $32,082.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wilmington College than at Western Carolina University (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wilmington College students is 181.4% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($16,866 vs. $5,993).

WCU vs. Wilmington College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WCU or Wilmington College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Wilmington College and WCU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Carolina University (1180) is 140 points higher than at Wilmington College (1040).
• Incoming WCU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 19 at Wilmington College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Carolina University 1080/1270; Wilmington College 850/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Carolina University 19/25; Wilmington College 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WCU - Test optional; Wilmington College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027; Wilmington College Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wilmington College students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at WCU (3.44).
• Wilmington College has a higher acceptance rate (92.4%) than WCU (81.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at WCU vs. 20% at Wilmington College.

WCU vs. Wilmington College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WCU and Wilmington College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Wilmington College's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Western Carolina University's (50%).
• Graduates from Wilmington College earn a median of about $900 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $4,990 lower median loan debt than Wilmington College graduates ($22,010 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wilmington College graduates ($227 vs. $279).
• More Wilmington 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.