Worcester State University vs. WCU

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

Worcester State University
Western Carolina University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: WCU (81.8% admitted vs 88%). Typical SAT 1180 vs 1150.
  • Cheaper after aid: Worcester State University. Average net price is $12,778 vs $13,767 at WCU.
  • Graduation: Worcester State University 47% vs WCU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Worcester State University $49,200 vs WCU $39,100 (median).
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Key differences

Worcester State University Western Carolina University
Acceptance rate
WCU more selective
Worcester State University88%
WCU81.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Worcester State University higher
Worcester State University1026-1283
WCU1080-1270
Average net price
Worcester State University $989 less
Worcester State University$12,778
WCU$13,767
In-state tuition
WCU $7,156 less
Worcester State University$11,786
WCU$4,630
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $9,236 less
Worcester State University$17,866
WCU$8,630
Graduation rate
WCU +3 pts
Worcester State University47%
WCU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
Worcester State University +$10,100
Worcester State University$49,200
WCU$39,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

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  • Applied
  • Worcester State University 5,156
  • WCU 19,742
  • Admitted
  • Worcester State University 4,537
  • WCU 16,154
  • Acceptance rate
  • Worcester State University 88%
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Worcester State University 16.7%
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Worcester State University 1150
  • WCU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • Worcester State University
  • WCU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • Worcester State University 3.3
  • WCU 3.44
  • Typical high school grades
  • Worcester State University B+
  • WCU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Worcester State University Average
  • WCU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • Worcester State University
  • WCU
  • SAT range
  • Worcester State University 1026-1283
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • ACT range
  • Worcester State University
  • WCU 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • Worcester State University Test optional
  • WCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Worcester State University Jun 1, 2027
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Worcester State University $11,786
  • WCU $4,630
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Worcester State University $17,866
  • WCU $8,630
  • Room & board
  • Worcester State University $14,307
  • WCU $12,354
  • Average net price
  • Worcester State University $12,778
  • WCU $13,767
  • Average grant aid
  • Worcester State University $9,464
  • WCU $5,993
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Worcester State University 80%
  • WCU 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • Worcester State University 47%
  • WCU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Worcester State University $49,200
  • WCU $39,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Worcester State University 66%
  • WCU 58%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Worcester State University $20,000
  • WCU $22,010
  • Median loan payment
  • Worcester State University $206
  • WCU $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Worcester State University 16:1
  • WCU 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • Worcester State University
    • Business (21%)
    • Psychology (15%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Location
  • Worcester State University Worcester, MA
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Setting
  • Worcester State University Midsize City
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Worcester State University 5,745
  • WCU 11,686
  • Type
  • Worcester State University Public 4 Year
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Worcester State University #558
  • WCU #698

Comparable Facts

Compare Worcester State University in Worcester, MA with Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Carolina University is larger than Worcester State University based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 5,745 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Worcester State University is located in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
  • Worcester State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Worcester State University 16:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 13.7% lower than at Worcester State University ($12,354 vs. $14,307).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 107% higher at Worcester State University than at Western Carolina University (about $9,236 more per year; $17,866 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Carolina University than at Worcester State University (81% vs. 80%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Worcester State University students is 57.9% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($9,464 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Worcester State University and WCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Worcester State University Jun 1, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WCU average a 3.44 high school GPA, 0.14 higher than at Worcester State University (3.3).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at Worcester State University vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Worcester State University graduates have a $2,010 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($20,000 vs. $22,010).
  • Among borrowers, Worcester State University graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($206 vs. $227).
  • More Worcester State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation (66% 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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