Fayetteville State University vs. WCU

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

 Fayetteville State University WCU
Location Fayetteville, NC Cullowhee, NC
Setting Midsize City Distant Town
Enrollment 6,847 11,628
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #1002 #742
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uncfsu.edu wcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Fayetteville State University WCU
Tuition (In State) $1,000 $1,000
Tuition (Out of State) $5,000 $5,000
Room & Board $11,302 $11,764
Avg Net Price $7,298 $12,252
Avg Grant Aid $8,589 $5,442
% Receiving Grant Aid 92% 99%

Admission

 Fayetteville State University WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,043 18,183
Admitted 4,029 15,758
Acceptance Rate 79.9% 86.7%
Enrolled % 20% 13.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.11 3.44
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 15/20 20/26
SAT Range 855/1045 1050/1260
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 Aug 1, 2025 Mar 1, 2025

Academics

 Fayetteville State University WCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 19:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (18%)
  • Social Sciences (15%)
  • Psychology (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

 Fayetteville State University WCU
Graduation Rate 31% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $32,500 $39,100
Making Student Loan Payments 28% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,161 $22,010
Median Loan Payment $229 $227

Diversity

 Fayetteville State University WCU
% Men 5% 4%
% Women 10% 10%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU Yes No
% White 19% 79%
% Black 64% 6%
% Hispanic 6% 6%
% Native American 3% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 4%
% International 0% 1%
% Unknown Race 6% 1%

Students

 Fayetteville State University WCU
% In-State 78% 78%
% Out-of-State 15% 19%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Carolina University is larger than than Fayetteville State University based on total student enrollment (11,628 students vs. 6,847 students)

Fayetteville State University vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fayetteville State University or WCU?

  • Fayetteville State University and WCU cost the same to attend based on in-state tuition ($1,000.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is the same at Fayetteville State University as Western Carolina University ($5,000.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Fayetteville State University than WCU ($7,298 vs. $12,252)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fayetteville State University are 4.1% lower than costs at Western Carolina University ($11,302 vs. $11,764)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Carolina University than Fayetteville State University (99% vs. 92%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Fayetteville State University students is 57.8% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($8,589 vs. $5,442)

Fayetteville State University vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Carolina University (1032) is 162 points higher than at Fayetteville State University (870)
  • Incoming WCU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Fayetteville State University (19)
  • Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at Fayetteville State University (3.11)
  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (86.7%) than Fayetteville State University (79.9%)

Fayetteville State University vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Fayetteville State 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 Fayetteville State University.

  • The graduation rate at WCU is higher than Fayetteville State University (50% vs. 31%)
  • Graduates from Western Carolina University earn on average $6,600 more per year than Fayetteville State University graduates after ten years. ($39,100 vs. $32,500)
  • Western Carolina University students graduate with a $151 lower median federal student loan debt than Fayetteville State University graduates. ($22,010 vs. $22,161)
  • WCU graduates are paying $2 less per month on federal student loans than Fayetteville State University graduates. ($227 vs. $229)
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fayetteville State University students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 28%)

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