Brevard College vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Brevard College in Brevard, 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 Brevard College based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 875 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Brevard College vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Brevard 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 Brevard College ($13,767 vs. $26,930).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 14.8% lower than at Brevard College ($12,354 vs. $14,500).
• Brevard College is 597.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $27,650 more per year; $32,280.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 274% higher at Brevard College than at Western Carolina University (about $23,650 more per year; $32,280.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Brevard College than at Western Carolina University (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Brevard College students is 240% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($20,379 vs. $5,993).

Brevard College vs. WCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Carolina University (1180) is 130 points higher than at Brevard College (1050).
• Incoming WCU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Brevard College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Brevard College 870/1220; Western Carolina University 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Brevard College 16/26; Western Carolina University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Brevard College - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at Brevard College (3.07).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (81.8%) than Brevard College (42.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.1% at Brevard College vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Brevard College vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Brevard 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 Brevard College's (35%).
• Graduates from Western Carolina University earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than Brevard College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,100 vs. $32,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $2,990 lower median loan debt than Brevard College graduates ($22,010 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Brevard College graduates ($227 vs. $258).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Brevard College students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 53%)

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.