Berea College vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Berea College in Berea, KY 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 Berea College based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 1,527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Berea College is located in Berea, KY (Distant Town setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Berea College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Berea College 9:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Berea College vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Berea 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 Berea College than WCU ($5,888 vs. $13,767).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Berea College are 33.6% lower than at Western Carolina University ($8,208 vs. $12,354).
• Berea College is 1,015.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $47,028 more per year; $51,658.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 498.6% higher at Berea College than at Western Carolina University (about $43,028 more per year; $51,658.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Berea College than at Western Carolina University (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Berea College students is 814.9% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($54,830 vs. $5,993).

Berea College vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Berea 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 Berea College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Berea College (1250) is 70 points higher than at WCU (1180).
• Incoming Berea College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at WCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Berea College 1156/1335; Western Carolina University 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Berea College 23/28; Western Carolina University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Berea College - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Berea College Mar 31, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Berea College students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at WCU (3.44).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (81.8%) than Berea College (19.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Berea College vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Berea College vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Berea 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).

• Graduates from Western Carolina University earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than Berea College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,100 vs. $36,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Berea College graduates have a $16,210 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($5,800 vs. $22,010).
• Among borrowers, Berea College graduates have an estimated $168 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($59 vs. $227).
• More Berea College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 58%)

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.