Idaho vs. WCU

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

 Idaho WCU
Location Moscow, ID Cullowhee, NC
Setting Rural Fringe Distant Town
Enrollment 11,507 11,635
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #585 #763
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uidaho.edu wcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Idaho WCU
Tuition (In State) $6,182 $1,000
Tuition (Out of State) $25,418 $5,000
Room & Board $9,898 $11,173
Avg Net Price $14,954 $13,022
Avg Grant Aid $11,105 $4,526
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

 Idaho WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 13,393 17,917
Admitted 9,891 15,201
Acceptance Rate 73.9% 84.8%
Enrolled % 19.7% 12.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.47 3.44
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/27 19/26
SAT Range 990/1250 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

 Idaho WCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (12%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Engineering (8%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

 Idaho WCU
Graduation Rate 51% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,900 $39,100
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,279 $22,010
Median Loan Payment $251 $227

Diversity

 Idaho WCU
% Men 49% 41%
% Women 51% 59%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 76% 79%
% Black 1% 6%
% Hispanic 10% 6%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 5% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

 Idaho WCU
% In-State 57% 80%
% Out-of-State 32% 18%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Carolina University is larger than than Idaho based on total student enrollment (11,635 students vs. 11,507 students)

Idaho vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Idaho or WCU?

  • University of Idaho is 518.2% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($6,182.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 408.4% higher at Idaho than Western Carolina University ($25,418.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than Idaho ($13,022 vs. $14,954)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Idaho are 12.9% lower than costs at Western Carolina University ($9,898 vs. $11,173)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Idaho than Western Carolina University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Idaho students is 145.4% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($11,105 vs. $4,526)

Idaho vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Idaho (1061) is 29 points higher than at WCU (1032)
  • Incoming Idaho students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at WCU (22)
  • Accepted freshman Idaho students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at WCU (3.44)
  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Idaho (73.9%)

Idaho vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Idaho 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 Idaho.

  • The graduation rate at Idaho is higher than Western Carolina University (51% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from University of Idaho earn on average $7,800 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($46,900 vs. $39,100)
  • Western Carolina University students graduate with a $2,269 lower median federal student loan debt than Idaho graduates. ($22,010 vs. $24,279)
  • WCU graduates are paying $24 less per month on federal student loans than Idaho graduates. ($227 vs. $251)
  • More Idaho graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 58%)

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