UMass Dartmouth vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

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

Western Carolina University is larger than UMass Dartmouth based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 7,968 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is located in North Dartmouth, MA (Midsize Suburban setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
• University of Massachusetts Dartmouth 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 Massachusetts Dartmouth 16:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

UMass Dartmouth vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMass Dartmouth 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 UMass Dartmouth ($13,767 vs. $21,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 33.5% lower than at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth ($12,354 vs. $18,566).
• University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is 237.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $10,982 more per year; $15,612.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 277.4% higher at UMass Dartmouth than at Western Carolina University (about $23,937 more per year; $32,567.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth than at Western Carolina University (96% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Dartmouth students is 94.5% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($11,658 vs. $5,993).

UMass Dartmouth vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMass Dartmouth 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 UMass Dartmouth.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Carolina University (1180) is 20 points higher than at UMass Dartmouth (1160).
• Incoming UMass Dartmouth students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 22 at WCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Dartmouth 1050/1270; Western Carolina University 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Dartmouth 26/30; Western Carolina University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMass Dartmouth - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at UMass Dartmouth (3.37).
• UMass Dartmouth has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than WCU (81.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at UMass Dartmouth vs. 12.7% at WCU.

UMass Dartmouth vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMass Dartmouth 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).

• Western Carolina University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Dartmouth's (48%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of about $9,900 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than UMass Dartmouth graduates ($22,010 vs. $25,760).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMass Dartmouth graduates ($227 vs. $266).
• More UMass Dartmouth graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (67% 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.