Warren Wilson vs. Ferrum College

Comparable Facts

Compare Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, NC with Ferrum College in Ferrum, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Warren Wilson College is larger than Ferrum College based on total student enrollment (791 students vs. 763 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Warren Wilson College is located in Swannanoa, NC (Midsize Suburban setting); Ferrum College is in Ferrum, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• Warren Wilson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ferrum College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Warren Wilson College 12:1; Ferrum College 11:1.

Warren Wilson vs. Ferrum College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Warren Wilson or Ferrum College? 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 Ferrum College than Warren Wilson ($20,082 vs. $26,084).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Warren Wilson College are 1.4% lower than at Ferrum College ($13,050 vs. $13,230).
• Warren Wilson College is 45.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ferrum College (about $12,980 more per year; $41,500.00 vs. $28,520.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.5% higher at Warren Wilson than at Ferrum College (about $12,980 more per year; $41,500.00 vs. $28,520.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Warren Wilson College than at Ferrum College (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ferrum College students is 11.5% larger than aid received by Warren Wilson College students ($34,444 vs. $30,887).

Warren Wilson vs. Ferrum College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Warren Wilson or Ferrum College? 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 Ferrum College and Warren Wilson.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsFerrum College 880/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Warren Wilson College 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Warren Wilson - Test optional; Ferrum College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Warren Wilson Jul 3, 2027; Ferrum College Sep 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Warren Wilson students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Ferrum College (3.14).
• Ferrum College has a higher acceptance rate (89%) than Warren Wilson (71.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at Warren Wilson vs. 11.5% at Ferrum College.

Warren Wilson vs. Ferrum College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Warren Wilson and Ferrum College? 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).

• Warren Wilson College's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than Ferrum College's (31%).
• Graduates from Ferrum College earn a median of about $8,200 more per year than Warren Wilson graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,000 vs. $30,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Warren Wilson College graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than Ferrum College graduates ($23,000 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Warren Wilson graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ferrum College graduates ($237 vs. $289).
• More Warren Wilson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ferrum College students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 49%)

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.