Warren Wilson vs. Central State University

Should I go to Warren Wilson College or Central State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Warren Wilson or Central State University 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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Warren Wilson College vs. Central State University comparison
Warren Wilson College Central State University College 3 College 4
Central State University
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Overview

Warren Wilson Central State University
Location Swannanoa, NC Wilberforce, OH
Setting Midsize Suburban Rural Fringe
Enrollment 797 3,454
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #1017
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website warren-wilson.edu centralstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Warren Wilson Central State University
Tuition (In State) $39,300 $5,404
Tuition (Out of State) $39,300 $7,404
Room & Board $12,610 $11,390
Avg Net Price $27,913 $14,821
Avg Grant Aid $25,670 $6,318
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 86%

Admission

Warren Wilson Central State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 943 3,291
Admitted 732 1,514
Acceptance Rate 77.6% 46%
Enrolled % 26.8% 37.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.6 2.8
Typical High School Grades B+ B-
Admissions Standards Difficult Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/29 14/18
SAT Range 770/950
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Jul 3, 2026

Academics

Warren Wilson Central State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Natural Resources Conservation (28%)
  • English and Literature (15%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • General Studies (9%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Business (25%)
  • Education (19%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

Warren Wilson Central State University
Graduation Rate 45% 24%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $30,800 $27,200
Making Student Loan Payments 72% 16%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,000 $39,000
Median Loan Payment $237 $403

Diversity

Warren Wilson Central State University
% Men 2% 0%
% Women 5% 0%
Racial Diversity Low Extremely Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 76% 1%
% Black 4% 95%
% Hispanic 9% 1%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 1%
% International 2% 0%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

Warren Wilson Central State University
% In-State 41% 47%
% Out-of-State 56% 44%

Campus

Warren Wilson Central State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Central State University is larger than than Warren Wilson based on total student enrollment (3,454 students vs. 797 students)

Warren Wilson vs. Central State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Warren Wilson or Central State University?

  • Warren Wilson College is 627.2% more expensive to attend than Central State University for in-state tuition ($39,300.00 vs. $5,404.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 430.8% higher at Warren Wilson than Central State University ($39,300.00 vs. $7,404.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central State University than Warren Wilson ($14,821 vs. $27,913)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central State University are 10.7% lower than costs at Warren Wilson College ($11,390 vs. $12,610)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Warren Wilson College than Central State University (99% vs. 86%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Warren Wilson College students is 306.3% larger than aid received Central State University ($25,670 vs. $6,318)

Warren Wilson vs. Central State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Warren Wilson or Central State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Central State University or Warren Wilson .

  • The average SAT score at Warren Wilson College (1120) is 343 points higher than at Central State University (777)
  • Incoming Warren Wilson students have a 9 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Central State University (16)
  • Accepted freshman Warren Wilson students have a 0.8 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Central State University (2.8)
  • Warren Wilson has a higher acceptance rate (77.6%) than Central State University (46%)

Warren Wilson vs. Central State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Warren Wilson or Central State University? 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 Central State University and Warren Wilson.

  • The graduation rate at Warren Wilson is higher than Central State University (45% vs. 24%)
  • Graduates from Warren Wilson College earn on average $3,600 more per year than Central State University graduates after ten years. ($30,800 vs. $27,200)
  • Warren Wilson College students graduate with a $16,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Central State University graduates. ($23,000 vs. $39,000)
  • Warren Wilson graduates are paying $166 less per month on federal student loans than Central State University graduates. ($237 vs. $403)
  • More Warren Wilson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central State University students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 16%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/