Methodist vs. WCU

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

 Methodist WCU
Location Fayetteville, NC Cullowhee, NC
Setting Midsize City Distant Town
Enrollment 1,811 11,635
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #668 #763
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website methodist.edu wcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Methodist WCU
Tuition (In State) $37,438 $1,000
Tuition (Out of State) $37,438 $5,000
Room & Board $12,828 $11,173
Avg Net Price $28,129 $13,022
Avg Grant Aid $25,361 $4,526
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 99%

Admission

 Methodist WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,397 17,917
Admitted 1,814 15,201
Acceptance Rate 75.7% 84.8%
Enrolled % 18% 12.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.58 3.44
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/26 19/26
SAT Range 1063/1200 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

 Methodist WCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (41%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

 Methodist WCU
Graduation Rate 39% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $43,700 $39,100
Making Student Loan Payments 49% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $22,010
Median Loan Payment $279 $227

Diversity

 Methodist WCU
% Men 50% 41%
% Women 50% 59%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 48% 79%
% Black 19% 6%
% Hispanic 7% 6%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 8% 1%
% Unknown Race 12% 1%

Students

 Methodist WCU
% In-State 58% 80%
% Out-of-State 37% 18%

Campus

 Methodist 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 Methodist based on total student enrollment (11,635 students vs. 1,811 students)

Methodist vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Methodist or WCU?

  • Methodist University is 3,643.8% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($37,438.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 648.8% higher at Methodist than Western Carolina University ($37,438.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than Methodist ($13,022 vs. $28,129)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 14.8% lower than costs at Methodist University ($11,173 vs. $12,828)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Methodist University as Western Carolina University (99% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Methodist University students is 460.3% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($25,361 vs. $4,526)

Methodist vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Carolina University (1032) is 77 points higher than at Methodist (955)
  • Incoming WCU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Methodist (20)
  • Accepted freshman Methodist students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.58) than students at WCU (3.44)
  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Methodist (75.7%)

Methodist vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Methodist 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 Methodist.

  • The graduation rate at WCU is higher than Methodist University (50% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from Methodist University earn on average $4,600 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($43,700 vs. $39,100)
  • Western Carolina University students graduate with a $4,990 lower median federal student loan debt than Methodist graduates. ($22,010 vs. $27,000)
  • WCU graduates are paying $52 less per month on federal student loans than Methodist graduates. ($227 vs. $279)
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Methodist students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 49%)

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