Bellarmine University vs. WCU

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

Bellarmine University WCU
Location Louisville, KY Cullowhee, NC
Setting Large City Distant Town
Enrollment 2,970 11,635
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #375 #763
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bellarmine.edu wcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Bellarmine University WCU
Tuition (In State) $44,040 $1,000
Tuition (Out of State) $44,040 $5,000
Room & Board $9,714 $11,173
Avg Net Price $22,813 $13,022
Avg Grant Aid $36,264 $4,526
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

Bellarmine University WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,878 17,917
Admitted 3,404 15,201
Acceptance Rate 87.8% 84.8%
Enrolled % 16% 12.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.44
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 19/26
SAT Range 1100/1290 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 Feb 1, 2025 Mar 1, 2025

Academics

Bellarmine University WCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (26%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

Bellarmine University WCU
Graduation Rate 66% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $50,300 $39,100
Making Student Loan Payments 73% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $22,010
Median Loan Payment $258 $227

Diversity

Bellarmine University WCU
% Men 37% 41%
% Women 63% 59%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 85% 79%
% Black 4% 6%
% Hispanic 3% 6%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Bellarmine University WCU
% In-State 67% 80%
% Out-of-State 31% 18%

Campus

Bellarmine 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 Bellarmine University based on total student enrollment (11,635 students vs. 2,970 students)

Bellarmine University vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bellarmine University or WCU?

  • Bellarmine University is 4,304% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($44,040.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 780.8% higher at Bellarmine University than Western Carolina University ($44,040.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than Bellarmine University ($13,022 vs. $22,813)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bellarmine University are 15% lower than costs at Western Carolina University ($9,714 vs. $11,173)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Bellarmine University than Western Carolina University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bellarmine University students is 701.2% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($36,264 vs. $4,526)

Bellarmine University vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Bellarmine University (1120) is 88 points higher than at WCU (1032)
  • Incoming Bellarmine University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at WCU (22)
  • Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at Bellarmine University (3.42)
  • Bellarmine University has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than WCU (84.8%)

Bellarmine University vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Bellarmine 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 Bellarmine University.

  • The graduation rate at Bellarmine University is higher than Western Carolina University (66% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from Bellarmine University earn on average $11,200 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($50,300 vs. $39,100)
  • Western Carolina University students graduate with a $2,990 lower median federal student loan debt than Bellarmine University graduates. ($22,010 vs. $25,000)
  • WCU graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans than Bellarmine University graduates. ($227 vs. $258)
  • More Bellarmine University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 58%)

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