University of North Carolina Asheville vs. Western Washington University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina Asheville in Asheville, NC with Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Washington University is larger than University of North Carolina Asheville based on total student enrollment (14,710 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 Washington University is in Bellingham, WA (Small City setting).
• University of North Carolina Asheville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina Asheville 13:1; Western Washington University 18:1.

University of North Carolina Asheville vs. Western Washington University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of North Carolina Asheville or Western Washington University? 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 North Carolina Asheville than Western Washington University ($13,798 vs. $24,338).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina Asheville are 11.1% lower than at Western Washington University ($13,992 vs. $15,747).
• Western Washington University is 27.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of North Carolina Asheville (about $2,081 more per year; $9,582.00 vs. $7,501.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.5% higher at Western Washington University than at University of North Carolina Asheville (about $3,858 more per year; $28,707.00 vs. $24,849.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Washington University than at University of North Carolina Asheville (93% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina Asheville students is 11.3% larger than aid received by Western Washington University students ($7,683 vs. $6,902).

University of North Carolina Asheville vs. Western Washington University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of North Carolina Asheville or Western Washington University? 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 Western Washington University and University of North Carolina Asheville.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Asheville (1270) is the same as at Western Washington University (1270).
• Incoming Western Washington University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at University of North Carolina Asheville).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Asheville 1170/1360; Western Washington University 1150/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Asheville 23/29; Western Washington University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of North Carolina Asheville - Test optional; Western Washington University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of North Carolina Asheville Aug 1, 2027; Western Washington University Jan 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of North Carolina Asheville students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at Western Washington University (3.46).
• Western Washington University has a higher acceptance rate (93.2%) than University of North Carolina Asheville (91.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.7% at University of North Carolina Asheville vs. 22.9% at Western Washington University.

University of North Carolina Asheville vs. Western Washington University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of North Carolina Asheville and Western Washington University? 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 Washington University's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than University of North Carolina Asheville's (61%).
• Graduates from Western Washington University earn a median of about $10,100 more per year than University of North Carolina Asheville graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Washington University graduates have a $1,228 lower median loan debt than University of North Carolina Asheville graduates ($19,413 vs. $20,641).
• Among borrowers, Western Washington University graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of North Carolina Asheville graduates ($200 vs. $213).
• More Western Washington University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of North Carolina Asheville students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 61%)

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.