UM-Dearborn vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Michigan Dearborn in Dearborn, MI 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 UM-Dearborn based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 8,104 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Michigan Dearborn is located in Dearborn, MI (Small City setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
• University of Michigan Dearborn 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 Michigan Dearborn 16:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

UM-Dearborn vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UM-Dearborn 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 University of Michigan Dearborn than WCU ($11,521 vs. $13,767).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Michigan Dearborn are 9% lower than at Western Carolina University ($11,241 vs. $12,354).
• University of Michigan Dearborn is 237.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $11,010 more per year; $15,640.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 281.2% higher at UM-Dearborn than at Western Carolina University (about $24,266 more per year; $32,896.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Michigan Dearborn than at Western Carolina University (99% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Michigan Dearborn students is 102.3% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($12,124 vs. $5,993).

UM-Dearborn vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UM-Dearborn 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 UM-Dearborn.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Carolina University (1180) is 60 points higher than at UM-Dearborn (1120).
• Incoming UM-Dearborn students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at WCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Michigan Dearborn 990/1255; Western Carolina University 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Michigan Dearborn 24/28; Western Carolina University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UM-Dearborn - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UM-Dearborn Apr 1, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UM-Dearborn students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at WCU (3.44).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (81.8%) than UM-Dearborn (55.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at UM-Dearborn vs. 12.7% at WCU.

UM-Dearborn vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UM-Dearborn 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 Michigan Dearborn's (49%).
• Graduates from University of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of about $13,700 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,800 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $3,740 lower median loan debt than UM-Dearborn graduates ($22,010 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UM-Dearborn graduates ($227 vs. $266).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UM-Dearborn students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 46%)

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.