Add a college to compare up to four schools
Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison.
ECU ASU Belmont Auburn UNC Charlotte Berry College UNCW Lipscomb Birmingham Southern College University of North Carolina at Asheville ETSU UNCG| Samford University | Western Carolina University | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|||
| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Samford University | WCU | ||
| Location | Birmingham, AL | Cullowhee, NC | ||
| Setting | Large Suburban | Distant Town | ||
| Enrollment | 5,682 | 11,635 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #213 | #763 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | Baptist | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | samford.edu | wcu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Samford University | WCU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $35,750 | $1,000 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $35,750 | $5,000 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,264 | $11,173 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $31,803 | $13,022 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $20,711 | $4,526 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 99% | 99% |
Admission |
Samford University | WCU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 4,337 | 17,917 | ||
| Admitted | 3,611 | 15,201 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 83.3% | 84.8% | ||
| Enrolled % | 27% | 12.7% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.84 | 3.44 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | A- | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Challenging | Average | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 23/29 | 19/26 | ||
| SAT Range | 1080/1270 | 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 | May 1, 2025 | Mar 1, 2025 |
Academics |
Samford University | WCU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 14:1 | 16:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
|
|
||
Outcomes |
Samford University | WCU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 70% | 50% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $57,400 | $39,100 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 77% | 58% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $22,500 | $22,010 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $232 | $227 |
Diversity |
Samford University | WCU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 32% | 41% | ||
| % Women | 68% | 59% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very Low | Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 81% | 79% | ||
| % Black | 7% | 6% | ||
| % Hispanic | 5% | 6% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 4% | ||
| % International | 3% | 1% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 1% |
Students |
Samford University | WCU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 25% | 80% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 74% | 18% | ||
Campus |
Samford 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 Samford University based on total student enrollment (11,635 students vs. 5,682 students)
Samford University vs. WCU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Samford University or WCU?
- Samford University is 3,475% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($35,750.00 vs. $1,000.00)
- Out of state tuition is 615% higher at Samford University than Western Carolina University ($35,750.00 vs. $5,000.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than Samford University ($13,022 vs. $31,803)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 0.8% lower than costs at Samford University ($11,173 vs. $11,264)
- The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Samford University as Western Carolina University (99% vs. 99%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Samford University students is 357.6% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($20,711 vs. $4,526)
Samford University vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Samford University or WCU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between WCU or Samford University .
- The average SAT score at Samford University (1162) is 130 points higher than at WCU (1032)
- Incoming Samford University students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at WCU (22)
- Accepted freshman Samford University students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at WCU (3.44)
- WCU has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Samford University (83.3%)
Samford University vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Samford 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 Samford University.
- The graduation rate at Samford University is higher than Western Carolina University (70% vs. 50%)
- Graduates from Samford University earn on average $18,300 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($57,400 vs. $39,100)
- Western Carolina University students graduate with a $490 lower median federal student loan debt than Samford University graduates. ($22,010 vs. $22,500)
- WCU graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans than Samford University graduates. ($227 vs. $232)
- More Samford University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 58%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/