KSU vs. WCU

Should I go to Kennesaw State University or Western Carolina University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if KSU 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Georgia State GS ECU ASU Georgia Georgia Tech Mercer UNC Charlotte UNCW VSU University of North Carolina at Asheville North Georgia
Kennesaw State University vs. Western Carolina University comparison
Kennesaw State University Western Carolina University College 3 College 4
Kennesaw State University Western Carolina University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

KSU WCU
Location Kennesaw, Georgia Cullowhee, NC
Setting Large Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 11,635
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #763
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website kennesaw.edu wcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

KSU WCU
Tuition (In State) $4,078 $1,000
Tuition (Out of State) $13,796 $5,000
Room & Board $11,467 $11,173
Avg Net Price $15,451 $13,022
Avg Grant Aid $5,161 $4,526
% Receiving Grant Aid 81% 99%

Admission

KSU WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,773 17,917
Admitted 5,483 15,201
Acceptance Rate 62.5% 84.8%
Enrolled % 54.5% 12.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.33 3.44
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/24 19/26
SAT Range 1070/1250 1020/1240
Submit Test Scores Required Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Mar 1, 2025

Academics

KSU WCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 0:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (27%)
  • Education (17%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Health Professions (6%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

KSU WCU
Graduation Rate 41% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) N/A $39,100
Making Student Loan Payments - 58%
Median Student Loan Debt N/A $22,010
Median Loan Payment N/A $227

Diversity

KSU WCU
% Men NaN 41%
% Women NaN 59%
Racial Diversity - Low
HBCU No No
% White 0% 79%
% Black 0% 6%
% Hispanic 0% 6%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 4%
% International 0% 1%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

KSU WCU
% In-State - 80%
% Out-of-State - 18%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Carolina University is larger than than KSU based on total student enrollment (11,635 students vs. 0 students)

KSU vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, KSU or WCU?

  • Kennesaw State University is 307.8% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($4,078.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 175.9% higher at KSU than Western Carolina University ($13,796.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than KSU ($13,022 vs. $15,451)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 2.6% lower than costs at Kennesaw State University ($11,173 vs. $11,467)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Carolina University than Kennesaw State University (99% vs. 81%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Kennesaw State University students is 14% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($5,161 vs. $4,526)

KSU vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at KSU (3.33)
  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than KSU (62.5%)

KSU vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, KSU 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 KSU.

  • The graduation rate at WCU is higher than Kennesaw State University (50% vs. 41%)

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