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ECU ASU UNC Charlotte UNCW University of North Carolina at Asheville ETSU UNCG NC State Centre College UNC Chapel Hill University of North Carolina at Pembroke Kentucky| Transylvania University | Western Carolina University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Transylvania University | WCU | ||
| Location | Lexington, KY | Cullowhee, NC | ||
| Setting | Large City | Distant Town | ||
| Enrollment | 1,022 | 11,628 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #410 | #742 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | transy.edu | wcu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Transylvania University | WCU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $43,160 | $1,000 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $43,160 | $5,000 | ||
| Room & Board | $14,195 | $11,764 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $25,634 | $12,252 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $33,159 | $5,442 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 99% |
Admission |
Transylvania University | WCU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 1,986 | 18,183 | ||
| Admitted | 1,688 | 15,758 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 85% | 86.7% | ||
| Enrolled % | 16.6% | 13.3% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.77 | 3.44 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | A- | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Difficult | Average | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 24/30 | 20/26 | ||
| SAT Range | 1100/1290 | 1050/1260 | ||
| 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 1, 2026 | Mar 1, 2026 |
Academics |
Transylvania University | WCU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 10:1 | 16:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Transylvania University | WCU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 70% | 50% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $48,700 | $39,100 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 75% | 58% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $27,000 | $22,010 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $279 | $227 |
Diversity |
Transylvania University | WCU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 0% | 4% | ||
| % Women | 1% | 10% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 79% | 79% | ||
| % Black | 3% | 6% | ||
| % Hispanic | 6% | 6% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 4% | ||
| % International | 3% | 1% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 3% | 1% |
Students |
Transylvania University | WCU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 79% | 78% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 19% | 19% | ||
Campus |
Transylvania 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 Transylvania University based on total student enrollment (11,628 students vs. 1,022 students)
Transylvania University vs. WCU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Transylvania University or WCU?
- Transylvania University is 4,216% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($43,160.00 vs. $1,000.00)
- Out of state tuition is 763.2% higher at Transylvania University than Western Carolina University ($43,160.00 vs. $5,000.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than Transylvania University ($12,252 vs. $25,634)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 20.7% lower than costs at Transylvania University ($11,764 vs. $14,195)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Transylvania University than Western Carolina University (100% vs. 99%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Transylvania University students is 509.3% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($33,159 vs. $5,442)
Transylvania University vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Transylvania University or WCU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between WCU or Transylvania University .
- Accepted freshman Transylvania University students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at WCU (3.44)
- WCU has a higher acceptance rate (86.7%) than Transylvania University (85%)
Transylvania University vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Transylvania 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 Transylvania University.
- The graduation rate at Transylvania University is higher than Western Carolina University (70% vs. 50%)
- Graduates from Transylvania University earn on average $9,600 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($48,700 vs. $39,100)
- Western Carolina University students graduate with a $4,990 lower median federal student loan debt than Transylvania University graduates. ($22,010 vs. $27,000)
- WCU graduates are paying $52 less per month on federal student loans than Transylvania University graduates. ($227 vs. $279)
- More Transylvania University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 58%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/