Jacksonville State University vs. WCU

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

 Jacksonville State University WCU
Location Jacksonville, AL Cullowhee, NC
Setting Small Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 9,632 11,635
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #946 #763
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website jsu.edu wcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Jacksonville State University WCU
Tuition (In State) $9,990 $1,000
Tuition (Out of State) $19,950 $5,000
Room & Board $8,640 $11,173
Avg Net Price $11,953 $13,022
Avg Grant Aid $10,123 $4,526
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

 Jacksonville State University WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,570 17,917
Admitted 9,863 15,201
Acceptance Rate 78.5% 84.8%
Enrolled % 19.7% 12.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.43 3.44
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 16/23 19/26
SAT Range 940/1200 1020/1240
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 Mar 1, 2025

Academics

 Jacksonville State University WCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 19:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Human Services (6%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

 Jacksonville State University WCU
Graduation Rate 32% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,000 $39,100
Making Student Loan Payments 39% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,250 $22,010
Median Loan Payment $240 $227

Diversity

 Jacksonville State University WCU
% Men 40% 41%
% Women 60% 59%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 70% 79%
% Black 22% 6%
% Hispanic 1% 6%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 4%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 3% 1%

Students

 Jacksonville State University WCU
% In-State 72% 80%
% Out-of-State 25% 18%

Campus

 Jacksonville State University WCU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Western Carolina University is larger than than Jacksonville State University based on total student enrollment (11,635 students vs. 9,632 students)

Jacksonville State University vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Jacksonville State University or WCU?

  • Jacksonville State University is 899% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($9,990.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 299% higher at Jacksonville State University than Western Carolina University ($19,950.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Jacksonville State University than WCU ($11,953 vs. $13,022)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Jacksonville State University are 29.3% lower than costs at Western Carolina University ($8,640 vs. $11,173)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Jacksonville State University than Western Carolina University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Jacksonville State University students is 123.7% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($10,123 vs. $4,526)

Jacksonville State University vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Jacksonville State University (1062) is 30 points higher than at WCU (1032)
  • Incoming Jacksonville State University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at WCU (22)
  • Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at Jacksonville State University (3.43)
  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Jacksonville State University (78.5%)

Jacksonville State University vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Jacksonville State University 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 Jacksonville State University.

  • The graduation rate at WCU is higher than Jacksonville State University (50% vs. 32%)
  • Graduates from Western Carolina University earn on average $2,100 more per year than Jacksonville State University graduates after ten years. ($39,100 vs. $37,000)
  • Western Carolina University students graduate with a $1,240 lower median federal student loan debt than Jacksonville State University graduates. ($22,010 vs. $23,250)
  • WCU graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than Jacksonville State University graduates. ($227 vs. $240)
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Jacksonville State University students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 39%)

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