Georgia College vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville, GA 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 Georgia College based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 7,097 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Georgia College & State University is located in Milledgeville, GA (Distant Town setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Georgia College & 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: Georgia College & State University 17:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Georgia College vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Georgia College 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 Georgia College ($13,767 vs. $21,632).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Georgia College & State University are 0.4% lower than at Western Carolina University ($12,302 vs. $12,354).
• Georgia College & State University is 98.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $4,556 more per year; $9,186.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 242% higher at Georgia College than at Western Carolina University (about $20,882 more per year; $29,512.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Georgia College & State University than at Western Carolina University (95% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Georgia College & State University students is 44.7% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($8,673 vs. $5,993).

Georgia College vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Georgia College 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 Georgia College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Carolina University (1180) is 30 points higher than at Georgia College (1150).
• Incoming Georgia College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at WCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Georgia College & State University 1070/1230; Western Carolina University 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Georgia College & State University 22/26; Western Carolina University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Georgia College - Required; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Georgia College Apr 1, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Georgia College students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at WCU (3.44).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (81.8%) than Georgia College (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.5% at Georgia College vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Georgia College vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Georgia College 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).

• Georgia College & State University's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Western Carolina University's (50%).
• Graduates from Georgia College & State University earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,300 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Georgia College & State University graduates have a $10 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($22,000 vs. $22,010).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Western Carolina University and Georgia College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($227 vs. $227).
• More Georgia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.