University of North Carolina Asheville vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina Asheville in Asheville, NC 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 University of North Carolina Asheville based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 3,056 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina Asheville is located in Asheville, NC (Small City setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
• University of North Carolina Asheville 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 North Carolina Asheville 13:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

University of North Carolina Asheville vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of North Carolina Asheville 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 University of North Carolina Asheville ($13,767 vs. $13,798).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 11.7% lower than at University of North Carolina Asheville ($12,354 vs. $13,992).
• University of North Carolina Asheville is 62% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $2,871 more per year; $7,501.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 187.9% higher at University of North Carolina Asheville than at Western Carolina University (about $16,219 more per year; $24,849.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Carolina Asheville than at Western Carolina University (90% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina Asheville students is 28.2% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($7,683 vs. $5,993).

University of North Carolina Asheville vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of North Carolina Asheville 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 University of North Carolina Asheville.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Asheville (1270) is 90 points higher than at WCU (1180).
• Incoming University of North Carolina Asheville 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 North Carolina Asheville 1170/1360; Western Carolina University 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Asheville 23/29; Western Carolina University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of North Carolina Asheville - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of North Carolina Asheville Aug 1, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of North Carolina Asheville students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at WCU (3.44).
• University of North Carolina Asheville has a higher acceptance rate (91.9%) than WCU (81.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.7% at University of North Carolina Asheville vs. 12.7% at WCU.

University of North Carolina Asheville vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of North Carolina Asheville 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 North Carolina Asheville's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Western Carolina University's (50%).
• Graduates from Western Carolina University earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than University of North Carolina Asheville graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,100 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Asheville graduates have a $1,369 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($20,641 vs. $22,010).
• Among borrowers, University of North Carolina Asheville graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($213 vs. $227).
• More University of North Carolina Asheville 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.