UNI vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, IA 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 UNI based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 9,278 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Northern Iowa is located in Cedar Falls, IA (Small City setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
• University of Northern Iowa 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 Northern Iowa 18:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

UNI vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNI 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 UNI ($13,767 vs. $16,437).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Iowa are 19.2% lower than at Western Carolina University ($9,986 vs. $12,354).
• University of Northern Iowa is 114.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $5,306 more per year; $9,936.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 151.6% higher at UNI than at Western Carolina University (about $13,082 more per year; $21,712.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Northern Iowa than at Western Carolina University (83% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Carolina University students is 2.2% larger than aid received by University of Northern Iowa students ($5,993 vs. $5,865).

UNI vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNI 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 UNI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Carolina University (1180) is 30 points higher than at UNI (1150).
• Incoming UNI 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 Northern Iowa 1020/1280; Western Carolina University 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 19/26; Western Carolina University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNI - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNI students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at WCU (3.44).
• UNI has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than WCU (81.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.1% at UNI vs. 12.7% at WCU.

UNI vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNI 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 Northern Iowa's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Western Carolina University's (50%).
• Graduates from University of Northern Iowa earn a median of about $8,600 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,700 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Iowa graduates have a $1,385 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($20,625 vs. $22,010).
• Among borrowers, UNI graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($213 vs. $227).
• More UNI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.