Anderson University vs. WCU

Should I go to Anderson University or Western Carolina University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Anderson University or WCU 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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Anderson University vs. Western Carolina University comparison
Anderson University Western Carolina University College 3 College 4
Anderson University Western Carolina University
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Overview

Anderson University WCU
Location Anderson, IN Cullowhee, NC
Setting Small City Distant Town
Enrollment 1,290 11,635
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #495 #763
Religious Affiliation Church of God - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website anderson.edu wcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Anderson University WCU
Tuition (In State) $33,070 $1,000
Tuition (Out of State) $33,070 $5,000
Room & Board $11,420 $11,173
Avg Net Price $21,459 $13,022
Avg Grant Aid $26,629 $4,526
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

Anderson University WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,416 17,917
Admitted 2,803 15,201
Acceptance Rate 51.8% 84.8%
Enrolled % 11.6% 12.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.4 3.44
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/25 19/26
SAT Range 980/1220 1020/1240
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, 2025

Academics

Anderson University WCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

Anderson University WCU
Graduation Rate 63% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,400 $39,100
Making Student Loan Payments 64% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $22,010
Median Loan Payment $279 $227

Diversity

Anderson University WCU
% Men 49% 41%
% Women 51% 59%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 80% 79%
% Black 6% 6%
% Hispanic 2% 6%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

Anderson University WCU
% In-State 67% 80%
% Out-of-State 33% 18%

Campus

Anderson University WCU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Western Carolina University is larger than than Anderson University based on total student enrollment (11,635 students vs. 1,290 students)

Anderson University vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Anderson University or WCU?

  • Anderson University is 3,207% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($33,070.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 561.4% higher at Anderson University than Western Carolina University ($33,070.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than Anderson University ($13,022 vs. $21,459)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 2.2% lower than costs at Anderson University ($11,173 vs. $11,420)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Anderson University than Western Carolina University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Anderson University students is 488.4% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($26,629 vs. $4,526)

Anderson University vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Anderson University (1050) is 18 points higher than at WCU (1032)
  • Incoming Anderson University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at WCU (22)
  • Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at Anderson University (3.4)
  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Anderson University (51.8%)

Anderson University vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Anderson University or WCU? 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 WCU and Anderson University.

  • The graduation rate at Anderson University is higher than Western Carolina University (63% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from Anderson University earn on average $1,300 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($40,400 vs. $39,100)
  • Western Carolina University students graduate with a $4,990 lower median federal student loan debt than Anderson University graduates. ($22,010 vs. $27,000)
  • WCU graduates are paying $52 less per month on federal student loans than Anderson University graduates. ($227 vs. $279)
  • More Anderson University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 58%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/