Guilford College vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Guilford College in Greensboro, 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 Guilford College based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 1,180 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Guilford College vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Guilford 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 Guilford College ($13,767 vs. $22,270).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 7.8% lower than at Guilford College ($12,354 vs. $13,400).
• Guilford College is 793.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $36,732 more per year; $41,362.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 379.3% higher at Guilford College than at Western Carolina University (about $32,732 more per year; $41,362.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Guilford College than at Western Carolina University (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Guilford College students is 457.6% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($33,419 vs. $5,993).

Guilford College vs. WCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Guilford College (1190) is 10 points higher than at WCU (1180).
• Incoming WCU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Guilford College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Guilford College 1120/1260; Western Carolina University 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Guilford College 18/24; Western Carolina University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Guilford College - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at Guilford College (3.14).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (81.8%) than Guilford College (80%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.1% at Guilford College vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Guilford College vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Guilford 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).

• Guilford College's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Western Carolina University's (50%).
• Graduates from Guilford College earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,300 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $4,625 lower median loan debt than Guilford College graduates ($22,010 vs. $26,635).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Guilford College graduates ($227 vs. $275).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Guilford College students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 51%)

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.