Lenoir-Rhyne University vs. WCU

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

 Lenoir-Rhyne University WCU
Location Hickory, NC Cullowhee, NC
Setting Small City Distant Town
Enrollment 2,354 11,635
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #763
Religious Affiliation Evangelical Lutheran Church - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website lr.edu wcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Lenoir-Rhyne University WCU
Tuition (In State) $43,000 $1,000
Tuition (Out of State) $43,000 $5,000
Room & Board $12,900 $11,173
Avg Net Price $21,843 $13,022
Avg Grant Aid $35,641 $4,526
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

 Lenoir-Rhyne University WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,452 17,917
Admitted 4,519 15,201
Acceptance Rate 82.9% 84.8%
Enrolled % 8.7% 12.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 3.44
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/26
SAT Range 1020/1240
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Mar 1, 2025

Academics

 Lenoir-Rhyne University WCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

 Lenoir-Rhyne University WCU
Graduation Rate 47% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,000 $39,100
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $22,010
Median Loan Payment $279 $227

Diversity

 Lenoir-Rhyne University WCU
% Men 37% 41%
% Women 63% 59%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 69% 79%
% Black 15% 6%
% Hispanic 5% 6%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

 Lenoir-Rhyne University WCU
% In-State 69% 80%
% Out-of-State 28% 18%

Campus

 Lenoir-Rhyne University 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 Lenoir-Rhyne University based on total student enrollment (11,635 students vs. 2,354 students)

Lenoir-Rhyne University vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lenoir-Rhyne University or WCU?

  • Lenoir Rhyne University is 4,200% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($43,000.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 760% higher at Lenoir-Rhyne University than Western Carolina University ($43,000.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than Lenoir-Rhyne University ($13,022 vs. $21,843)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 15.5% lower than costs at Lenoir Rhyne University ($11,173 vs. $12,900)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Lenoir Rhyne University than Western Carolina University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lenoir Rhyne University students is 687.5% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($35,641 vs. $4,526)

Lenoir-Rhyne University vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Carolina University (1032) is 42 points higher than at Lenoir-Rhyne University (990)
  • Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at Lenoir-Rhyne University (3.41)
  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Lenoir-Rhyne University (82.9%)

Lenoir-Rhyne University vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Lenoir-Rhyne 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 Lenoir-Rhyne University.

  • The graduation rate at WCU is higher than Lenoir Rhyne University (50% vs. 47%)
  • Graduates from Lenoir Rhyne University earn on average $2,900 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($42,000 vs. $39,100)
  • Western Carolina University students graduate with a $4,990 lower median federal student loan debt than Lenoir-Rhyne University graduates. ($22,010 vs. $27,000)
  • WCU graduates are paying $52 less per month on federal student loans than Lenoir-Rhyne University graduates. ($227 vs. $279)
  • More Lenoir-Rhyne University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 58%)

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