Louisville vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Louisville is larger than WCU based on total student enrollment (23,065 students vs. 11,686 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Louisville is located in Louisville, KY (Large City setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
• University of Louisville 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 Louisville 14:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Louisville vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Louisville 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 Louisville ($13,767 vs. $19,785).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 1.8% lower than at University of Louisville ($12,354 vs. $12,576).
• University of Louisville is 183.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $8,506 more per year; $13,136.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 241.6% higher at Louisville than at Western Carolina University (about $20,852 more per year; $29,482.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisville than at Western Carolina University (98% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Louisville students is 144.9% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($14,677 vs. $5,993).

Louisville vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Louisville 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 Louisville.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Carolina University (1180) is 20 points higher than at Louisville (1160).
• Incoming Louisville students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at WCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisville 1040/1270; Western Carolina University 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisville 19/27; Western Carolina University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Louisville - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Louisville Feb 15, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Louisville students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at WCU (3.44).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (81.8%) than Louisville (79.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.1% at Louisville vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Louisville vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Louisville 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).

• University of Louisville's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Western Carolina University's (50%).
• Graduates from University of Louisville earn a median of about $6,100 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisville graduates have a $2,354 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($19,656 vs. $22,010).
• Among borrowers, Louisville graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($203 vs. $227).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Louisville students, three years after graduation. (58% 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.