NCAT vs. WCU

Should I go to North Carolina A & T State University or Western Carolina University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if NCAT 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. 

ECU ASU WSSU UNC Charlotte UNCW University of North Carolina at Asheville UNCG ETSU Howard CAU NC State North Carolina Central University
North Carolina A & T State University vs. Western Carolina University comparison
North Carolina A & T State University Western Carolina University College 3 College 4
North Carolina A & T State University Western Carolina University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 NCAT WCU
Location Greensboro, NC Cullowhee, NC
Setting Large City Distant Town
Enrollment 13,487 11,635
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #985 #763
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ncat.edu wcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 NCAT WCU
Tuition (In State) $3,540 $1,000
Tuition (Out of State) $17,050 $5,000
Room & Board $9,179 $11,173
Avg Net Price $9,189 $13,022
Avg Grant Aid $10,082 $4,526
% Receiving Grant Aid 92% 99%

Admission

 NCAT WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 25,762 17,917
Admitted 14,526 15,201
Acceptance Rate 56.4% 84.8%
Enrolled % 21.2% 12.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.61 3.44
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/23 19/26
SAT Range 960/1140 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 Jun 1, 2025 Mar 1, 2025

Academics

 NCAT WCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 19:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (15%)
  • Engineering (13%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)
  • Engineering Technology (6%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

 NCAT WCU
Graduation Rate 41% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,100 $39,100
Making Student Loan Payments 27% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $29,000 $22,010
Median Loan Payment $299 $227

Diversity

 NCAT WCU
% Men 38% 41%
% Women 62% 59%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU Yes No
% White 5% 79%
% Black 84% 6%
% Hispanic 3% 6%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

 NCAT WCU
% In-State 57% 80%
% Out-of-State 41% 18%

Campus

 NCAT 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

  • North Carolina A & T State University is larger than than WCU based on total student enrollment (13,487 students vs. 11,635 students)

NCAT vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NCAT or WCU?

  • North Carolina A & T State University is 254% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($3,540.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 241% higher at NCAT than Western Carolina University ($17,050.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at North Carolina A & T State University than WCU ($9,189 vs. $13,022)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Carolina A & T State University are 21.7% lower than costs at Western Carolina University ($9,179 vs. $11,173)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Carolina University than North Carolina A & T State University (99% vs. 92%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by North Carolina A & T State University students is 122.8% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($10,082 vs. $4,526)

NCAT vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Carolina University (1032) is 122 points higher than at NCAT (910)
  • Incoming WCU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at NCAT (19)
  • Accepted freshman NCAT students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at WCU (3.44)
  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than NCAT (56.4%)

NCAT vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NCAT 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 NCAT.

  • The graduation rate at WCU is higher than North Carolina A & T State University (50% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from Western Carolina University earn on average $1,000 more per year than NCAT graduates after ten years. ($39,100 vs. $38,100)
  • Western Carolina University students graduate with a $6,990 lower median federal student loan debt than NCAT graduates. ($22,010 vs. $29,000)
  • WCU graduates are paying $72 less per month on federal student loans than NCAT graduates. ($227 vs. $299)
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NCAT students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 27%)

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