Earlham vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Earlham College in Richmond, IN 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 Earlham based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 753 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Earlham College is located in Richmond, IN (Distant Town setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Earlham College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Earlham College 7:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Earlham vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Earlham 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 Earlham ($13,767 vs. $27,107).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 11.7% lower than at Earlham College ($12,354 vs. $13,985).
• Earlham College is 1,064.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $49,300 more per year; $53,930.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 524.9% higher at Earlham than at Western Carolina University (about $45,300 more per year; $53,930.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Earlham College than at Western Carolina University (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Earlham College students is 577.8% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($40,618 vs. $5,993).

Earlham vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Earlham 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 Earlham.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Earlham College (1200) is 20 points higher than at WCU (1180).
• Incoming Earlham students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 22 at WCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Earlham College 1110/1290; Western Carolina University 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Earlham College 24/33; Western Carolina University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Earlham - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Earlham Mar 1, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Earlham students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at WCU (3.44).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (81.8%) than Earlham (73.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Earlham vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Earlham vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Earlham 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).

• Earlham College's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Western Carolina University's (50%).
• Graduates of Earlham College and WCU have equivalent median earnings about ten years after starting college ($39,100 vs. $39,100), per the federal College Scorecard cohort (typically among students working and not enrolled).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $3,990 lower median loan debt than Earlham graduates ($22,010 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Earlham graduates ($227 vs. $268).
• More Earlham graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.