Campbell University vs. WCU

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

 Campbell University WCU
Location Buies Creek, NC Cullowhee, NC
Setting Distant Rural Distant Town
Enrollment 5,115 11,628
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #497 #742
Religious Affiliation Baptist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website campbell.edu wcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Campbell University WCU
Tuition (In State) $37,750 $1,000
Tuition (Out of State) $37,750 $5,000
Room & Board $15,200 $11,764
Avg Net Price $24,517 $12,252
Avg Grant Aid $34,413 $5,442
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

 Campbell University WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,680 18,183
Admitted 3,470 15,758
Acceptance Rate 94.3% 86.7%
Enrolled % 17.4% 13.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.52 3.44
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 20/26
SAT Range 1030/1230 1050/1260
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Mar 1, 2026

Academics

 Campbell University WCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (28%)
  • Education (15%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

 Campbell University WCU
Graduation Rate 55% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $55,500 $39,100
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,500 $22,010
Median Loan Payment $242 $227

Diversity

 Campbell University WCU
% Men 17% 4%
% Women 28% 10%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 62% 79%
% Black 18% 6%
% Hispanic 8% 6%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 6% 1%

Students

 Campbell University WCU
% In-State 75% 78%
% Out-of-State 22% 19%

Campus

 Campbell 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 Campbell University based on total student enrollment (11,628 students vs. 5,115 students)

Campbell University vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Campbell University or WCU?

  • Campbell University is 3,675% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($37,750.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 655% higher at Campbell University than Western Carolina University ($37,750.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than Campbell University ($12,252 vs. $24,517)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 29.2% lower than costs at Campbell University ($11,764 vs. $15,200)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Campbell University than Western Carolina University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Campbell University students is 532.4% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($34,413 vs. $5,442)

Campbell University vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Carolina University (1032) is 25 points higher than at Campbell University (1007)
  • Incoming Campbell University students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at WCU (22)
  • Accepted freshman Campbell University students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at WCU (3.44)
  • Campbell University has a higher acceptance rate (94.3%) than WCU (86.7%)

Campbell University vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Campbell 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 Campbell University.

  • The graduation rate at Campbell University is higher than Western Carolina University (55% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from Campbell University earn on average $16,400 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($55,500 vs. $39,100)
  • Western Carolina University students graduate with a $1,490 lower median federal student loan debt than Campbell University graduates. ($22,010 vs. $23,500)
  • WCU graduates are paying $15 less per month on federal student loans than Campbell University graduates. ($227 vs. $242)
  • More Campbell University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 58%)

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