Central vs. WCU

Should I go to University of Central Missouri or Western Carolina University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Central 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.
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University of Central Missouri vs. Western Carolina University comparison
University of Central Missouri Western Carolina University College 3 College 4
University of Central Missouri Western Carolina University
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Overview

 Central WCU
Location Warrensburg, MO Cullowhee, NC
Setting Rural Fringe Distant Town
Enrollment 11,637 11,635
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #708 #763
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ucmo.edu wcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Central WCU
Tuition (In State) $8,040 $1,000
Tuition (Out of State) $16,080 $5,000
Room & Board $9,699 $11,173
Avg Net Price $15,117 $13,022
Avg Grant Aid $6,517 $4,526
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 99%

Admission

 Central WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,993 17,917
Admitted 3,562 15,201
Acceptance Rate 71.3% 84.8%
Enrolled % 28.9% 12.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.68 3.44
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 19/26
SAT Range 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 Mar 1, 2025

Academics

 Central WCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 19:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (21%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

 Central WCU
Graduation Rate 50% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,500 $39,100
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,441 $22,010
Median Loan Payment $232 $227

Diversity

 Central WCU
% Men 46% 41%
% Women 54% 59%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 77% 79%
% Black 11% 6%
% Hispanic 4% 6%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

 Central WCU
% In-State 88% 80%
% Out-of-State 11% 18%

Campus

 Central WCU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Central Missouri is larger than than WCU based on total student enrollment (11,637 students vs. 11,635 students)

Central vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central or WCU?

  • University of Central Missouri is 704% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($8,040.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 221.6% higher at Central than Western Carolina University ($16,080.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than Central ($13,022 vs. $15,117)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Missouri are 15.2% lower than costs at Western Carolina University ($9,699 vs. $11,173)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Carolina University than University of Central Missouri (99% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Central Missouri students is 44% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($6,517 vs. $4,526)

Central vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Carolina University (1032) is 22 points higher than at Central (1010)
  • Incoming Central students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at WCU (22)
  • 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 (84.8%) than Central (71.3%)

Central vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Central 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 Central.

  • The graduation rate at Central is the same as at Western Carolina University (50% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from University of Central Missouri earn on average $2,400 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($41,500 vs. $39,100)
  • Western Carolina University students graduate with a $431 lower median federal student loan debt than Central graduates. ($22,010 vs. $22,441)
  • WCU graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans 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/