IUPUI vs. WCU

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

 IUPUI WCU
Location Indianapolis, IN Cullowhee, NC
Setting Large City Distant Town
Enrollment 25,497 11,628
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #458 #742
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website iupui.edu wcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 IUPUI WCU
Tuition (In State) $9,241 $1,000
Tuition (Out of State) $32,509 $5,000
Room & Board $13,010 $11,764
Avg Net Price $11,592 $12,252
Avg Grant Aid $11,473 $5,442
% Receiving Grant Aid 82% 99%

Admission

 IUPUI WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 15,715 18,183
Admitted 12,791 15,758
Acceptance Rate 81.4% 86.7%
Enrolled % 25.7% 13.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.52 3.44
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/28 20/26
SAT Range 1040/1230 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 May 15, 2026 Mar 1, 2026

Academics

 IUPUI WCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (13%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Engineering Technology (5%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

 IUPUI WCU
Graduation Rate 33% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,600 $39,100
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,090 $22,010
Median Loan Payment $238 $227

Diversity

 IUPUI WCU
% Men 12% 4%
% Women 21% 10%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 72% 79%
% Black 10% 6%
% Hispanic 6% 6%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

 IUPUI WCU
% In-State 91% 78%
% Out-of-State 7% 19%

Campus

 IUPUI 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

  • Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is larger than than WCU based on total student enrollment (25,497 students vs. 11,628 students)

IUPUI vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IUPUI or WCU?

  • Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is 824.1% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($9,241.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 550.2% higher at IUPUI than Western Carolina University ($32,509.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis than WCU ($11,592 vs. $12,252)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 10.6% lower than costs at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ($11,764 vs. $13,010)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Carolina University than Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (99% vs. 82%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis students is 110.8% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($11,473 vs. $5,442)

IUPUI vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Carolina University (1032) is 18 points higher than at IUPUI (1014)
  • Incoming IUPUI students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at WCU (22)
  • Accepted freshman IUPUI students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at WCU (3.44)
  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (86.7%) than IUPUI (81.4%)

IUPUI vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, IUPUI 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 IUPUI.

  • The graduation rate at WCU is higher than Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (50% vs. 33%)
  • Graduates from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn on average $9,500 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($48,600 vs. $39,100)
  • Western Carolina University students graduate with a $1,080 lower median federal student loan debt than IUPUI graduates. ($22,010 vs. $23,090)
  • WCU graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than IUPUI graduates. ($227 vs. $238)
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IUPUI students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 53%)

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