Pfeiffer University vs. WCU

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

 Pfeiffer University WCU
Location Misenheimer, NC Cullowhee, NC
Setting Distant Rural Distant Town
Enrollment 1,076 11,635
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #627 #763
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website pfeiffer.edu wcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Pfeiffer University WCU
Tuition (In State) $31,940 $1,000
Tuition (Out of State) $31,940 $5,000
Room & Board $12,520 $11,173
Avg Net Price $21,575 $13,022
Avg Grant Aid $24,926 $4,526
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

 Pfeiffer University WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,299 17,917
Admitted 897 15,201
Acceptance Rate 69.1% 84.8%
Enrolled % 18.4% 12.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.18 3.44
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Easy Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/25 19/26
SAT Range 891/1165 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 Aug 15, 2025 Mar 1, 2025

Academics

 Pfeiffer University WCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (28%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (12%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Health Professions (5%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

 Pfeiffer University WCU
Graduation Rate 45% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,100 $39,100
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,399 $22,010
Median Loan Payment $231 $227

Diversity

 Pfeiffer University WCU
% Men 39% 41%
% Women 61% 59%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 52% 79%
% Black 21% 6%
% Hispanic 3% 6%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 6% 1%
% Unknown Race 15% 1%

Students

 Pfeiffer University WCU
% In-State 72% 80%
% Out-of-State 24% 18%

Campus

 Pfeiffer University 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 Pfeiffer University based on total student enrollment (11,635 students vs. 1,076 students)

Pfeiffer University vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pfeiffer University or WCU?

  • Pfeiffer University is 3,094% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($31,940.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 538.8% higher at Pfeiffer University than Western Carolina University ($31,940.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than Pfeiffer University ($13,022 vs. $21,575)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 12.1% lower than costs at Pfeiffer University ($11,173 vs. $12,520)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Pfeiffer University than Western Carolina University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pfeiffer University students is 450.7% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($24,926 vs. $4,526)

Pfeiffer University vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Carolina University (1032) is 101 points higher than at Pfeiffer University (931)
  • Incoming WCU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Pfeiffer University (20)
  • Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at Pfeiffer University (3.18)
  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Pfeiffer University (69.1%)

Pfeiffer University vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Pfeiffer University 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 Pfeiffer University.

  • The graduation rate at WCU is higher than Pfeiffer University (50% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Pfeiffer University earn on average $2,000 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($41,100 vs. $39,100)
  • Western Carolina University students graduate with a $389 lower median federal student loan debt than Pfeiffer University graduates. ($22,010 vs. $22,399)
  • WCU graduates are paying $4 less per month on federal student loans than Pfeiffer University graduates. ($227 vs. $231)
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pfeiffer University students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 56%)

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