University of North Carolina at Pembroke vs. WCU

Should I go to University of North Carolina at Pembroke or Western Carolina University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of North Carolina at Pembroke or WCU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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University of North Carolina at Pembroke vs. Western Carolina University comparison
University of North Carolina at Pembroke Western Carolina University College 3 College 4
University of North Carolina at Pembroke Western Carolina University
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Overview

University of North Carolina at Pembroke WCU
Location Pembroke, NC Cullowhee, NC
Setting Distant Town Distant Town
Enrollment 7,666 11,635
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #978 #763
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uncp.edu wcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of North Carolina at Pembroke WCU
Tuition (In State) $1,000 $1,000
Tuition (Out of State) $5,000 $5,000
Room & Board $11,052 $11,173
Avg Net Price $8,208 $13,022
Avg Grant Aid $6,619 $4,526
% Receiving Grant Aid 82% 99%

Admission

University of North Carolina at Pembroke WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,420 17,917
Admitted 3,069 15,201
Acceptance Rate 89.7% 84.8%
Enrolled % 23.3% 12.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.44 3.44
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 16/21 19/26
SAT Range 890/1140 1020/1240
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 1, 2025 Mar 1, 2025

Academics

University of North Carolina at Pembroke WCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (14%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (10%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

University of North Carolina at Pembroke WCU
Graduation Rate 34% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $35,500 $39,100
Making Student Loan Payments 44% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,000 $22,010
Median Loan Payment $217 $227

Diversity

University of North Carolina at Pembroke WCU
% Men 35% 41%
% Women 65% 59%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 37% 79%
% Black 36% 6%
% Hispanic 6% 6%
% Native American 15% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

University of North Carolina at Pembroke WCU
% In-State 82% 80%
% Out-of-State 10% 18%

Campus

University of North Carolina at Pembroke WCU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Western Carolina University is larger than than University of North Carolina at Pembroke based on total student enrollment (11,635 students vs. 7,666 students)

University of North Carolina at Pembroke vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of North Carolina at Pembroke or WCU?

  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke and WCU cost the same to attend based on in-state tuition ($1,000.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is the same at University of North Carolina at Pembroke as Western Carolina University ($5,000.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of North Carolina at Pembroke than WCU ($8,208 vs. $13,022)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Pembroke are 1.1% lower than costs at Western Carolina University ($11,052 vs. $11,173)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Carolina University than University of North Carolina at Pembroke (99% vs. 82%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina at Pembroke students is 46.2% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($6,619 vs. $4,526)

University of North Carolina at Pembroke vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of North Carolina at Pembroke or WCU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between WCU or University of North Carolina at Pembroke .

  • The average SAT score at Western Carolina University (1032) is 106 points higher than at University of North Carolina at Pembroke (926)
  • Incoming WCU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at University of North Carolina at Pembroke (20)
  • Accepted freshman University of North Carolina at Pembroke students have at 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 (89.7%) than WCU (84.8%)

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

Which is better, University of North Carolina at Pembroke or WCU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between WCU and University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

  • The graduation rate at WCU is higher than University of North Carolina at Pembroke (50% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from Western Carolina University earn on average $3,600 more per year than University of North Carolina at Pembroke graduates after ten years. ($39,100 vs. $35,500)
  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke students graduate with a $1,010 lower median federal student loan debt than WCU graduates. ($21,000 vs. $22,010)
  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans 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/