WCU vs. Wright State

Western Carolina University and Wright State University Main Campus side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Western Carolina University
Wright State University Main Campus

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: WCU (81.8% admitted vs 96.3%). Typical SAT 1180 vs 1070.
  • Cheaper after aid: WCU. Average net price is $13,767 vs $15,254 at Wright State.
  • Graduation: WCU 50% vs Wright State 40%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WCU $39,100 vs Wright State $43,400 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Western Carolina University Wright State University Main Campus
Acceptance rate
WCU more selective
WCU81.8%
Wright State96.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WCU higher
WCU1080-1270
Wright State913-1230
Average net price
WCU $1,487 less
WCU$13,767
Wright State$15,254
In-state tuition
WCU $6,892 less
WCU$4,630
Wright State$11,522
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $12,592 less
WCU$8,630
Wright State$21,222
Graduation rate
WCU +10 pts
WCU50%
Wright State40%
Median earnings (10 years)
Wright State +$4,300
WCU$39,100
Wright State$43,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at WCU and Wright State with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at WCU Check my chances at Wright State
  • Applied
  • WCU 19,742
  • Wright State 8,855
  • Admitted
  • WCU 16,154
  • Wright State 8,530
  • Acceptance rate
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Wright State 96.3% Open
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Wright State 20.4% Open
  • Typical SAT score
  • WCU 1180
  • Wright State 1070
  • Typical ACT score
  • WCU 22
  • Wright State 21
  • Average high school GPA
  • WCU 3.44
  • Wright State 3.41
  • Typical high school grades
  • WCU B+
  • Wright State B+
  • Admissions standards
  • WCU Moderate
  • Wright State Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • WCU
  • Wright State
  • SAT range
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • Wright State 913-1230
  • ACT range
  • WCU 19-25
  • Wright State 17-25
  • Submit test scores
  • WCU Test optional
  • Wright State Open admission
  • Application deadline
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Wright State Aug 23, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WCU $4,630
  • Wright State $11,522
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WCU $8,630
  • Wright State $21,222
  • Room & board
  • WCU $12,354
  • Wright State $11,250
  • Average net price
  • WCU $13,767
  • Wright State $15,254
  • Average grant aid
  • WCU $5,993
  • Wright State $8,942
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WCU 81%
  • Wright State 92%
  • Graduation rate
  • WCU 50%
  • Wright State 40%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WCU $39,100
  • Wright State $43,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • WCU 58%
  • Wright State 51%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WCU $22,010
  • Wright State $25,000
  • Median loan payment
  • WCU $227
  • Wright State $258
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WCU 16:1
  • Wright State 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Wright State
    • Business (29%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Education (7%)
  • Location
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Wright State Dayton, OH
  • Setting
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Wright State Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • WCU 11,686
  • Wright State 10,603
  • Type
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • Wright State Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WCU #698
  • Wright State #832

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC with Wright State University Main Campus in Dayton, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Carolina University is larger than Wright State based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 10,603 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Carolina University is located in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting); Wright State University Main Campus is in Dayton, OH (Large Suburban setting).
  • Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wright State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Carolina University 16:1; Wright State University Main Campus 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wright State University Main Campus are 8.9% lower than at Western Carolina University ($11,250 vs. $12,354).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 145.9% higher at Wright State than at Western Carolina University (about $12,592 more per year; $21,222 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wright State University Main Campus than at Western Carolina University (92% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Wright State University Main Campus students is 49.2% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($8,942 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at WCU than at Wright State (22 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at WCU, open admission at Wright State.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027; Wright State Aug 23, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WCU average a 3.44 high school GPA, 0.03 higher than at Wright State (3.41).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at WCU vs. 20.4% at Wright State.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $2,990 lower median loan debt than Wright State graduates ($22,010 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wright State graduates ($227 vs. $258).
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wright State students, three years after graduation (58% vs. 51%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Western Carolina University
Wright State University Main Campus
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges