NCAT vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare North Carolina A & T State University in Greensboro, NC with Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Carolina A & T State University is larger than WCU based on total student enrollment (14,311 students vs. 11,686 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• North Carolina A & T State University is located in Greensboro, NC (Large City setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
• North Carolina A & T State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: North Carolina A & T State University 20:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

NCAT vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NCAT 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 North Carolina A & T State University than WCU ($10,097 vs. $13,767).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Carolina A & T State University are 28.5% lower than at Western Carolina University ($8,832 vs. $12,354).
• North Carolina A & T State University is 47.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $2,183 more per year; $6,813.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 139.5% higher at NCAT than at Western Carolina University (about $12,043 more per year; $20,673.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at North Carolina A & T State University than at Western Carolina University (82% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by North Carolina A & T State University students is 70.2% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($10,203 vs. $5,993).

NCAT vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NCAT 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 NCAT.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Carolina University (1180) is 70 points higher than at NCAT (1110).
• Incoming WCU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at NCAT).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina A & T State University 1020/1190; Western Carolina University 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina A & T State University 17/23; Western Carolina University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NCAT - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NCAT Jun 1, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• 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 (81.8%) than NCAT (49.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15% at NCAT vs. 12.7% at WCU.

NCAT vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NCAT 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).

• Western Carolina University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than North Carolina A & T State University's (41%).
• Graduates from Western Carolina University earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than NCAT graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,100 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $6,990 lower median loan debt than NCAT graduates ($22,010 vs. $29,000).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.