UNCG vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina at Greensboro in Greensboro, 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 Greensboro is larger than WCU based on total student enrollment (18,012 students vs. 11,686 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina at Greensboro is located in Greensboro, NC (Large City setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
• University of North Carolina at Greensboro 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 Greensboro 18:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

UNCG vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCG 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 Greensboro than WCU ($11,404 vs. $13,767).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Greensboro are 13.5% lower than at Western Carolina University ($10,688 vs. $12,354).
• University of North Carolina at Greensboro is 65.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $3,031 more per year; $7,661.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 178.2% higher at UNCG than at Western Carolina University (about $15,382 more per year; $24,012.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Carolina at Greensboro than at Western Carolina University (87% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina at Greensboro students is 64.6% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($9,863 vs. $5,993).

UNCG vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNCG 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 UNCG.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina at Greensboro (1250) is 70 points higher than at WCU (1180).
• Incoming UNCG 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 Greensboro 1150/1355; Western Carolina University 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Greensboro 22/27; Western Carolina University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCG - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCG Mar 1, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNCG students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at WCU (3.44).
• UNCG has a higher acceptance rate (88.5%) than WCU (81.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.2% at UNCG vs. 12.7% at WCU.

UNCG vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCG 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 Greensboro's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Western Carolina University's (50%).
• Graduates of University of North Carolina at Greensboro and WCU have equivalent median earnings about ten years after starting college ($39,100 vs. $39,100), per the federal College Scorecard cohort (typically among students working and not enrolled).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $727 lower median loan debt than UNCG graduates ($22,010 vs. $22,737).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCG graduates ($227 vs. $235).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCG students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 56%)

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.