Brescia University vs. WCU

Should I go to Brescia University or Western Carolina University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Brescia 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

ECU ASU UNC Charlotte UNCW University of North Carolina at Asheville ETSU UNCG NC State UNC Chapel Hill University of North Carolina at Pembroke BYU GS
Brescia University vs. Western Carolina University comparison
Brescia University Western Carolina University College 3 College 4
Western Carolina University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Brescia University WCU
Location Owensboro, KY Cullowhee, NC
Setting Small City Distant Town
Enrollment 646 11,635
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #763
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website brescia.edu wcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Brescia University WCU
Tuition (In State) $27,000 $1,000
Tuition (Out of State) $27,000 $5,000
Room & Board $10,540 $11,173
Avg Net Price $16,127 $13,022
Avg Grant Aid $24,180 $4,526
% Receiving Grant Aid 87% 99%

Admission

Brescia University WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,936 17,917
Admitted 975 15,201
Acceptance Rate 50.4% 84.8%
Enrolled % 10.5% 12.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.02 3.44
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Easy Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/25 19/26
SAT Range 920/1190 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

Brescia University WCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (36%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (6%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

Brescia University WCU
Graduation Rate 32% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,400 $39,100
Making Student Loan Payments 49% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $29,000 $22,010
Median Loan Payment $299 $227

Diversity

Brescia University WCU
% Men 35% 41%
% Women 65% 59%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 66% 79%
% Black 14% 6%
% Hispanic 6% 6%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 4%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 12% 1%

Students

Brescia University WCU
% In-State 56% 80%
% Out-of-State 40% 18%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Carolina University is larger than than Brescia University based on total student enrollment (11,635 students vs. 646 students)

Brescia University vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Brescia University or WCU?

  • Brescia University is 2,600% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($27,000.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 440% higher at Brescia University than Western Carolina University ($27,000.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than Brescia University ($13,022 vs. $16,127)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Brescia University are 6% lower than costs at Western Carolina University ($10,540 vs. $11,173)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Carolina University than Brescia University (99% vs. 87%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Brescia University students is 434.2% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($24,180 vs. $4,526)

Brescia University vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Carolina University (1032) is 29 points higher than at Brescia University (1003)
  • Incoming Brescia University students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at WCU (22)
  • Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at Brescia University (3.02)
  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Brescia University (50.4%)

Brescia University vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Brescia 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 Brescia University.

  • The graduation rate at WCU is higher than Brescia University (50% vs. 32%)
  • Graduates from Brescia University earn on average $3,300 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($42,400 vs. $39,100)
  • Western Carolina University students graduate with a $6,990 lower median federal student loan debt than Brescia University graduates. ($22,010 vs. $29,000)
  • WCU graduates are paying $72 less per month on federal student loans than Brescia University graduates. ($227 vs. $299)
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Brescia University students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 49%)

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