UNC Chapel Hill vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

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

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is larger than WCU based on total student enrollment (32,438 students vs. 11,686 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is located in Chapel Hill, NC (Small City setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 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 at Chapel Hill 15:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

UNC Chapel Hill vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNC Chapel Hill 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 North Carolina at Chapel Hill than WCU ($10,154 vs. $13,767).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 10.5% lower than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ($12,354 vs. $13,804).
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is 94.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $4,364 more per year; $8,994.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 377.4% higher at UNC Chapel Hill than at Western Carolina University (about $32,573 more per year; $41,203.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Carolina University than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (81% vs. 38%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students is 197.2% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($17,814 vs. $5,993).

UNC Chapel Hill vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNC Chapel Hill 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 UNC Chapel Hill.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1460) is 280 points higher than at WCU (1180).
• Incoming UNC Chapel Hill students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 22 at WCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 1390/1530; Western Carolina University 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 28/34; Western Carolina University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNC Chapel Hill - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNC Chapel Hill Jan 15, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNC Chapel Hill students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at WCU (3.44).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (81.8%) than UNC Chapel Hill (15.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.5% at UNC Chapel Hill vs. 12.7% at WCU.

UNC Chapel Hill vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNC Chapel Hill 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 at Chapel Hill's six-year graduation rate (89%) is higher than Western Carolina University's (50%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill earn a median of about $27,000 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,100 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates have a $5,531 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($16,479 vs. $22,010).
• Among borrowers, UNC Chapel Hill graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($170 vs. $227).
• More UNC Chapel Hill graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.