UNF vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

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

University of North Florida is larger than WCU based on total student enrollment (16,154 students vs. 11,686 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Florida is located in Jacksonville, FL (Large City setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
• University of North Florida 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 Florida 19:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

UNF vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNF 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 Florida than WCU ($11,135 vs. $13,767).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Florida are 4.4% lower than at Western Carolina University ($11,810 vs. $12,354).
• University of North Florida is 38% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $1,759 more per year; $6,389.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 140.9% higher at UNF than at Western Carolina University (about $12,163 more per year; $20,793.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Carolina University than at University of North Florida (81% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Florida students is 56.5% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($9,377 vs. $5,993).

UNF vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNF 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 UNF.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Carolina University (1180) is 10 points higher than at UNF (1170).
• Incoming UNF students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at WCU (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Florida 1070/1270; Western Carolina University 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Florida 19/25; Western Carolina University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNF - Required; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNF students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at WCU (3.44).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (81.8%) than UNF (53.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.5% at UNF vs. 12.7% at WCU.

UNF vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNF 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).

• The graduation rate at UNF is the same as at Western Carolina University (50% vs. 50%).
• Graduates from University of North Florida earn a median of about $8,100 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,200 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Florida graduates have a $6,010 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($16,000 vs. $22,010).
• Among borrowers, UNF graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($165 vs. $227).
• More UNF graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.