Franklin College of Indiana vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Franklin College in Franklin, 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 Franklin College of Indiana based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 985 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Franklin College is located in Franklin, IN (Large Suburban setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Franklin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Franklin College 12:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Franklin College of Indiana vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Franklin College of Indiana 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 Franklin College of Indiana ($13,767 vs. $24,189).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 0.4% lower than at Franklin College ($12,354 vs. $12,405).
• Franklin College is 736.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $34,080 more per year; $38,710.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 348.6% higher at Franklin College of Indiana than at Western Carolina University (about $30,080 more per year; $38,710.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franklin College than at Western Carolina University (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Franklin College students is 401% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($30,025 vs. $5,993).

Franklin College of Indiana vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Franklin College of Indiana 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 Franklin College of Indiana.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Carolina University (1180) is 30 points higher than at Franklin College of Indiana (1150).
• Incoming Franklin College of Indiana students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at WCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Franklin College 1060/1240; Western Carolina University 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Franklin College 20/26; Western Carolina University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Franklin College of Indiana - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Franklin College of Indiana students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at WCU (3.44).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (81.8%) than Franklin College of Indiana (69.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.4% at Franklin College of Indiana vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Franklin College of Indiana vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Franklin College of Indiana 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 Franklin College's (49%).
• Graduates from Franklin College earn a median of about $6,200 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $4,990 lower median loan debt than Franklin College of Indiana graduates ($22,010 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Franklin College of Indiana graduates ($227 vs. $279).
• More Franklin College of Indiana graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.