WCU vs. Xavier

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

Western Carolina University
Xavier University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: WCU (81.8% admitted vs 86.4%). Typical SAT 1180 vs 1210.
  • Cheaper after aid: WCU. Average net price is $13,767 vs $33,623 at Xavier.
  • Graduation: WCU 50% vs Xavier 77%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WCU $39,100 vs Xavier $54,500 (median).
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Key differences

Western Carolina University Xavier University
Acceptance rate
WCU more selective
WCU81.8%
Xavier86.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Xavier higher
WCU1080-1270
Xavier1103-1310
Average net price
WCU $19,856 less
WCU$13,767
Xavier$33,623
In-state tuition
WCU $46,010 less
WCU$4,630
Xavier$50,640
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $42,010 less
WCU$8,630
Xavier$50,640
Graduation rate
Xavier +27 pts
WCU50%
Xavier77%
Median earnings (10 years)
Xavier +$15,400
WCU$39,100
Xavier$54,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • WCU 19,742
  • Xavier 14,631
  • Admitted
  • WCU 16,154
  • Xavier 12,642
  • Acceptance rate
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Xavier 86.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Xavier 7.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • WCU 1180
  • Xavier 1210
  • Typical ACT score
  • WCU 22
  • Xavier 25
  • Average high school GPA
  • WCU 3.44
  • Xavier 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • WCU B+
  • Xavier A-
  • Admissions standards
  • WCU Moderate
  • Xavier Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • WCU
  • Xavier
  • SAT range
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • Xavier 1103-1310
  • ACT range
  • WCU 19-25
  • Xavier 22-29
  • Submit test scores
  • WCU Test optional
  • Xavier Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Xavier
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WCU $4,630
  • Xavier $50,640
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WCU $8,630
  • Xavier $50,640
  • Room & board
  • WCU $12,354
  • Xavier $13,920
  • Average net price
  • WCU $13,767
  • Xavier $33,623
  • Average grant aid
  • WCU $5,993
  • Xavier $32,088
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WCU 81%
  • Xavier 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • WCU 50%
  • Xavier 77%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WCU $39,100
  • Xavier $54,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • WCU 58%
  • Xavier 72%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WCU $22,010
  • Xavier $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • WCU $227
  • Xavier $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WCU 16:1
  • Xavier 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Xavier
    • Business (28%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (17%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Biology (5%)
  • Location
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Xavier Cincinnati, OH
  • Setting
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Xavier Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • WCU 11,686
  • Xavier 5,501
  • Type
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • Xavier Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WCU #698
  • Xavier #269

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC with Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Carolina University is larger than Xavier based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 5,501 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Carolina University is located in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting); Xavier University is in Cincinnati, OH (Large City setting).
  • Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Xavier University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Carolina University 16:1; Xavier University 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 11.2% lower than at Xavier University ($12,354 vs. $13,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 486.8% higher at Xavier than at Western Carolina University (about $42,010 more per year; $50,640 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Xavier University than at Western Carolina University (100% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Xavier University students is 435.4% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($32,088 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Xavier than at WCU (25 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both WCU and Xavier.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Xavier average a 3.68 high school GPA, 0.24 higher than at WCU (3.44).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at WCU vs. 7.3% at Xavier.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $4,990 lower median loan debt than Xavier graduates ($22,010 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Xavier graduates ($227 vs. $279).
  • More Xavier graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation (72% 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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