NC State vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

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

North Carolina State University at Raleigh is larger than WCU based on total student enrollment (38,464 students vs. 11,686 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is located in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
• North Carolina State University at Raleigh 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 State University at Raleigh 15:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

NC State vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NC State 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 NC State ($13,767 vs. $15,522).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 13.8% lower than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($12,354 vs. $14,332).
• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is 90% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $4,169 more per year; $8,799.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 280.6% higher at NC State than at Western Carolina University (about $24,217 more per year; $32,847.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Carolina University than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (81% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students is 94.8% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($11,675 vs. $5,993).

NC State vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NC State 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 NC State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (1390) is 210 points higher than at WCU (1180).
• Incoming NC State students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 22 at WCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470; Western Carolina University 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32; Western Carolina University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NC State - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NC State Jan 15, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NC State students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at WCU (3.44).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (81.8%) than NC State (41.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.8% at NC State vs. 12.7% at WCU.

NC State vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NC State 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).

• North Carolina State University at Raleigh's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than Western Carolina University's (50%).
• Graduates from North Carolina State University at Raleigh earn a median of about $18,100 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,200 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, North Carolina State University at Raleigh graduates have a $1,228 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($20,782 vs. $22,010).
• Among borrowers, NC State graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($214 vs. $227).
• More NC State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.