Central vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Central Missouri is larger than WCU based on total student enrollment (12,857 students vs. 11,686 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Central Missouri is located in Warrensburg, MO (Rural Fringe setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
• University of Central Missouri is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Central Missouri 18:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Central vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central 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 Central ($13,767 vs. $14,943).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Missouri are 13.1% lower than at Western Carolina University ($10,740 vs. $12,354).
• University of Central Missouri is 117.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $5,420 more per year; $10,050.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 115.5% higher at Central than at Western Carolina University (about $9,970 more per year; $18,600.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Central Missouri than at Western Carolina University (96% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Central Missouri students is 30.3% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($7,811 vs. $5,993).

Central vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central 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 Central.

• Incoming Central students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at WCU (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestern Carolina University 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Missouri 19/25; Western Carolina University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Central students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at WCU (3.44).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (81.8%) than Central (63.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.6% at Central vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Central vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central 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).

• The graduation rate at Central is the same as at Western Carolina University (50% vs. 50%).
• Graduates from University of Central Missouri earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,500 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $431 lower median loan debt than Central graduates ($22,010 vs. $22,441).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central graduates ($227 vs. $232).
• More Central graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.