Southern Polytechnic State University vs. WCU

Should I go to Southern Polytechnic State University or Western Carolina University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Southern Polytechnic State 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

ECU ASU UNC Charlotte UNCW University of North Carolina at Asheville ETSU UNCG NC State UNC Chapel Hill University of North Carolina at Pembroke BYU GS
Southern Polytechnic State University vs. Western Carolina University comparison
Southern Polytechnic State University Western Carolina University College 3 College 4
Western Carolina University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Southern Polytechnic State University WCU
Location Marietta, Georgia Cullowhee, NC
Setting Small City Distant Town
Enrollment 11,635
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #763
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website spsu.edu wcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southern Polytechnic State University WCU
Tuition (In State) $4,417 $1,000
Tuition (Out of State) $15,722 $5,000
Room & Board $8,390 $11,173
Avg Net Price $10,562 $13,022
Avg Grant Aid $5,879 $4,526
% Receiving Grant Aid 83% 99%

Admission

Southern Polytechnic State University WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,535 17,917
Admitted 1,212 15,201
Acceptance Rate 79% 84.8%
Enrolled % 65.2% 12.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.44
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 22/26 19/26
SAT Range 1110/1300 1020/1240
Submit Test Scores Required Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Mar 1, 2025

Academics

Southern Polytechnic State University WCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 0:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Engineering Technology (40%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (16%)
  • Engineering (6%)
  • Architecture (6%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

Southern Polytechnic State University WCU
Graduation Rate 34% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) N/A $39,100
Making Student Loan Payments - 58%
Median Student Loan Debt N/A $22,010
Median Loan Payment N/A $227

Diversity

Southern Polytechnic State University WCU
% Men NaN 41%
% Women NaN 59%
Racial Diversity - Low
HBCU No No
% White 0% 79%
% Black 0% 6%
% Hispanic 0% 6%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 4%
% International 0% 1%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

Southern Polytechnic State University WCU
% In-State - 80%
% Out-of-State - 18%

Campus

Southern Polytechnic State University WCU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Western Carolina University is larger than than Southern Polytechnic State University based on total student enrollment (11,635 students vs. 0 students)

Southern Polytechnic State University vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Polytechnic State University or WCU?

  • Southern Polytechnic State University is 341.7% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($4,417.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 214.4% higher at Southern Polytechnic State University than Western Carolina University ($15,722.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern Polytechnic State University than WCU ($10,562 vs. $13,022)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Polytechnic State University are 33.2% lower than costs at Western Carolina University ($8,390 vs. $11,173)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Carolina University than Southern Polytechnic State University (99% vs. 83%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Polytechnic State University students is 29.9% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($5,879 vs. $4,526)

Southern Polytechnic State University vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Southern Polytechnic State University students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at WCU (3.44)
  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Southern Polytechnic State University (79%)

Southern Polytechnic State University vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Southern Polytechnic State 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 Southern Polytechnic State University.

  • The graduation rate at WCU is higher than Southern Polytechnic State University (50% vs. 34%)

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