Queens vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Queens University of Charlotte in Charlotte, NC with Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Carolina University is larger than Queens based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 1,599 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Queens University of Charlotte is located in Charlotte, NC (Large City setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Queens University of Charlotte is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Queens University of Charlotte 9:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Queens vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Queens 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 Queens ($13,767 vs. $31,839).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 29.4% lower than at Queens University of Charlotte ($12,354 vs. $17,496).
• Queens University of Charlotte is 890.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $41,216 more per year; $45,846.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 431.2% higher at Queens than at Western Carolina University (about $37,216 more per year; $45,846.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Queens University of Charlotte than at Western Carolina University (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Queens University of Charlotte students is 468.8% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($34,089 vs. $5,993).

Queens vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Queens 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 Queens.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Queens University of Charlotte (1240) is 60 points higher than at WCU (1180).
• Incoming Queens students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at WCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Queens University of Charlotte 1140/1340; Western Carolina University 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Queens University of Charlotte 20/27; Western Carolina University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Queens - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Queens Sep 7, 2026; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at Queens (3.41).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (81.8%) than Queens (62.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.9% at Queens vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Queens vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Queens 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).

• Queens University of Charlotte's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Western Carolina University's (50%).
• Graduates from Queens University of Charlotte earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,100 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $3,990 lower median loan debt than Queens graduates ($22,010 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Queens graduates ($227 vs. $268).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Queens students, three years after graduation. (58% 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.