Meredith vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Meredith College in Raleigh, 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 Meredith based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 1,465 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Meredith College is located in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Meredith College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Meredith College 10:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Meredith vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Meredith 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 Meredith ($13,767 vs. $24,323).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 7% lower than at Meredith College ($12,354 vs. $13,280).
• Meredith College is 885.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $41,000 more per year; $45,630.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 428.7% higher at Meredith than at Western Carolina University (about $37,000 more per year; $45,630.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Meredith College than at Western Carolina University (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Meredith College students is 452.6% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($33,116 vs. $5,993).

Meredith vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Meredith 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 Meredith.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Meredith College (1220) is 40 points higher than at WCU (1180).
• Incoming Meredith students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at WCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Meredith College 1098/1348; Western Carolina University 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Meredith College 23/29; Western Carolina University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Meredith - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Meredith Feb 15, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Meredith 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 (81.8%) than Meredith (74.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.5% at Meredith vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Meredith vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Meredith 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).

• Meredith College's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Western Carolina University's (50%).
• Graduates from Meredith College earn a median of about $900 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $3,990 lower median loan debt than Meredith graduates ($22,010 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Meredith graduates ($227 vs. $268).
• More Meredith graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 58%)

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.