University of North Carolina at Pembroke vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina at Pembroke in Pembroke, 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 at Pembroke based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 7,674 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina at Pembroke is located in Pembroke, NC (Distant Town setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
• University of North Carolina at Pembroke 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 Pembroke 14:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

University of North Carolina at Pembroke vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of North Carolina at Pembroke 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 Pembroke than WCU ($9,723 vs. $13,767).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Pembroke are 4% lower than at Western Carolina University ($11,858 vs. $12,354).
• Western Carolina University is 26.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of North Carolina at Pembroke (about $982 more per year; $4,630.00 vs. $3,648.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.8% higher at WCU than at University of North Carolina at Pembroke (about $982 more per year; $8,630.00 vs. $7,648.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Carolina University than at University of North Carolina at Pembroke (81% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina at Pembroke students is 22.5% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($7,344 vs. $5,993).

University of North Carolina at Pembroke vs. WCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Carolina University (1180) is 90 points higher than at University of North Carolina at Pembroke (1090).
• Incoming WCU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at University of North Carolina at Pembroke).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Pembroke 970/1200; Western Carolina University 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Pembroke 18/23; Western Carolina University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of North Carolina at Pembroke - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of North Carolina at Pembroke May 1, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of North Carolina at Pembroke students have the same average high school GPA (3.44) as students at WCU (3.44).
• University of North Carolina at Pembroke has a higher acceptance rate (93.3%) than WCU (81.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.5% at University of North Carolina at Pembroke vs. 12.7% at WCU.

University of North Carolina at Pembroke vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of North Carolina at Pembroke 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).

• Western Carolina University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than University of North Carolina at Pembroke's (34%).
• Graduates from Western Carolina University earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than University of North Carolina at Pembroke graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,100 vs. $35,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Pembroke graduates have a $1,010 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($21,000 vs. $22,010).
• Among borrowers, University of North Carolina at Pembroke graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($217 vs. $227).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of North Carolina at Pembroke students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 44%)

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.