Fayetteville State University vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville, 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 Fayetteville State University based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 7,107 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fayetteville State University is located in Fayetteville, NC (Midsize City setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Fayetteville State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fayetteville State University 20:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Fayetteville State University vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fayetteville State University 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 Fayetteville State University than WCU ($7,811 vs. $13,767).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fayetteville State University are 7.3% lower than at Western Carolina University ($11,449 vs. $12,354).
• Western Carolina University is 6.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fayetteville State University (about $277 more per year; $4,630.00 vs. $4,353.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.3% higher at WCU than at Fayetteville State University (about $277 more per year; $8,630.00 vs. $8,353.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fayetteville State University than at Western Carolina University (90% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fayetteville State University students is 46.5% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($8,777 vs. $5,993).

Fayetteville State University vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fayetteville State University 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 Fayetteville State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Carolina University (1180) is 190 points higher than at Fayetteville State University (990).
• Incoming WCU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 17 at Fayetteville State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fayetteville State University 890/1090; Western Carolina University 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fayetteville State University 15/19; Western Carolina University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fayetteville State University - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Fayetteville State University Aug 1, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at Fayetteville State University (3.11).
• Fayetteville State University has a higher acceptance rate (82.1%) than WCU (81.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.8% at Fayetteville State University vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Fayetteville State University vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fayetteville State University 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 Fayetteville State University's (31%).
• Graduates from Western Carolina University earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than Fayetteville State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,100 vs. $32,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $151 lower median loan debt than Fayetteville State University graduates ($22,010 vs. $22,161).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.