Paine College vs. Warren Wilson

Comparable Facts

Compare Paine College in Augusta, GA with Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Warren Wilson College is larger than Paine College based on total student enrollment (791 students vs. 390 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Paine College is located in Augusta, GA (Midsize City setting); Warren Wilson College is in Swannanoa, NC (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Paine College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Warren Wilson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Paine College 11:1; Warren Wilson College 12:1.

Paine College vs. Warren Wilson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Paine College or Warren Wilson? 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 Paine College than Warren Wilson ($15,935 vs. $26,084).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Paine College are 42.4% lower than at Warren Wilson College ($7,512 vs. $13,050).
• Warren Wilson College is 184.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Paine College (about $26,904 more per year; $41,500.00 vs. $14,596.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 184.3% higher at Warren Wilson than at Paine College (about $26,904 more per year; $41,500.00 vs. $14,596.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Paine College as at Warren Wilson College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Warren Wilson College students is 154.3% larger than aid received by Paine College students ($30,887 vs. $12,145).

Paine College vs. Warren Wilson Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Paine College or Warren Wilson? 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 Warren Wilson and Paine College.

• Incoming Warren Wilson students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 17 at Paine College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Paine College 776/976.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Paine College 15/19; Warren Wilson College 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Paine College - Test-free; Warren Wilson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Paine College Jul 1, 2027; Warren Wilson Jul 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Warren Wilson students have a 0.79 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Paine College (2.81).
• Paine College has a higher acceptance rate (95.4%) than Warren Wilson (71.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.6% at Paine College vs. 17.9% at Warren Wilson.

Paine College vs. Warren Wilson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Paine College and Warren Wilson? 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).

• Warren Wilson College's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than Paine College's (27%).
• Graduates from Warren Wilson College earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than Paine College graduates about ten years after starting college ($30,800 vs. $28,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Warren Wilson College graduates have a $12,750 lower median loan debt than Paine College graduates ($23,000 vs. $35,750).
• Among borrowers, Warren Wilson graduates have an estimated $132 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Paine College graduates ($237 vs. $369).
• More Warren Wilson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Paine College students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 15%)

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.