Barton College vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

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

Western Carolina University is larger than Barton College based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 1,235 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Barton College is located in Wilson, NC (Distant Town setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Barton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Barton College 14:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Barton College vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Barton College or WCU? 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 Barton College ($13,767 vs. $23,962).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 12.6% lower than at Barton College ($12,354 vs. $14,130).
• Barton College is 704.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $32,620 more per year; $37,250.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 331.6% higher at Barton College than at Western Carolina University (about $28,620 more per year; $37,250.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Barton College than at Western Carolina University (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Barton College students is 355% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($27,266 vs. $5,993).

Barton College vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Barton College or WCU? 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 WCU and Barton College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Carolina University (1180) is 120 points higher than at Barton College (1060).
• Incoming WCU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at Barton College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Barton College 970/1150; Western Carolina University 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Barton College 17/23; Western Carolina University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Barton College - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at Barton College (3.25).
• Barton College has a higher acceptance rate (94.2%) than WCU (81.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at Barton College vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Barton College vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Barton College and WCU? 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).

• Western Carolina University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Barton College's (47%).
• Graduates from Western Carolina University earn a median of about $400 more per year than Barton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,100 vs. $38,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $4,990 lower median loan debt than Barton College graduates ($22,010 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Barton College graduates ($227 vs. $279).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Barton College students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 52%)

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.