Davidson vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Davidson College in Davidson, 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 Davidson based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 1,869 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Davidson College is located in Davidson, NC (Large Suburban setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Davidson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Davidson College 8:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Davidson vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Davidson 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 Davidson ($13,767 vs. $27,720).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 27.8% lower than at Davidson College ($12,354 vs. $17,100).
• Davidson College is 1,291.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $59,780 more per year; $64,410.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 646.3% higher at Davidson than at Western Carolina University (about $55,780 more per year; $64,410.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Carolina University than at Davidson College (81% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Davidson College students is 763.6% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($51,755 vs. $5,993).

Davidson vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Davidson 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 Davidson.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Davidson College (1470) is 290 points higher than at WCU (1180).
• Incoming Davidson students have a 10 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 22 at WCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Davidson College 1400/1530; Western Carolina University 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Davidson College 31/34; Western Carolina University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Davidson - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Davidson Jan 7, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Davidson students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at WCU (3.44).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (81.8%) than Davidson (13.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.9% at Davidson vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Davidson vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Davidson 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).

• Davidson College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Western Carolina University's (50%).
• Graduates from Davidson College earn a median of about $24,400 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,500 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Davidson College graduates have a $5,010 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($17,000 vs. $22,010).
• Among borrowers, Davidson graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($175 vs. $227).
• More Davidson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.