Berry College vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Berry College in Mount Berry, GA 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 Berry College based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 2,484 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Berry College is located in Mount Berry, GA (Rural Fringe setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Berry College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Berry College 12:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Berry College vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Berry 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 Berry College ($13,767 vs. $25,363).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 15.3% lower than at Berry College ($12,354 vs. $14,590).
• Berry College is 800.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $37,056 more per year; $41,686.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 383% higher at Berry College than at Western Carolina University (about $33,056 more per year; $41,686.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Berry College than at Western Carolina University (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Berry College students is 427.5% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($31,615 vs. $5,993).

Berry College vs. WCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Berry College (1230) is 50 points higher than at WCU (1180).
• Incoming Berry 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: Berry College 1125/1330; Western Carolina University 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Berry College 22/28; Western Carolina University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Berry College - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Berry College Jul 15, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Berry College students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at WCU (3.44).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (81.8%) than Berry College (64%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.7% at Berry College vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Berry College vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Berry 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).

• Berry College's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than Western Carolina University's (50%).
• Graduates from Berry College earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,700 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $990 lower median loan debt than Berry College graduates ($22,010 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Berry College graduates ($227 vs. $237).
• More Berry College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.