UNC Charlotte vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina at Charlotte in Charlotte, 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 Charlotte is larger than WCU based on total student enrollment (31,091 students vs. 11,686 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina at Charlotte is located in Charlotte, NC (Large City setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
• University of North Carolina at Charlotte 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 Charlotte 21:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

UNC Charlotte vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNC Charlotte 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 UNC Charlotte ($13,767 vs. $15,045).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 14.6% lower than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte ($12,354 vs. $14,458).
• University of North Carolina at Charlotte is 56.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $2,609 more per year; $7,239.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 160.6% higher at UNC Charlotte than at Western Carolina University (about $13,862 more per year; $22,492.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Carolina University than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (81% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina at Charlotte students is 32.9% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($7,966 vs. $5,993).

UNC Charlotte vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNC Charlotte 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 Charlotte.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (1240) is 60 points higher than at WCU (1180).
• Incoming UNC Charlotte students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at WCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Charlotte 1140/1330; Western Carolina University 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Charlotte 21/28; Western Carolina University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNC Charlotte - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNC Charlotte Jun 1, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNC Charlotte students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at WCU (3.44).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (81.8%) than UNC Charlotte (79.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.5% at UNC Charlotte vs. 12.7% at WCU.

UNC Charlotte vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNC Charlotte 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 Charlotte's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Western Carolina University's (50%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina at Charlotte earn a median of about $9,500 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $990 lower median loan debt than UNC Charlotte graduates ($22,010 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNC Charlotte graduates ($227 vs. $237).
• More UNC Charlotte 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.