Warren Wilson vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, NC 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 Warren Wilson based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 791 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Warren Wilson College is located in Swannanoa, NC (Midsize Suburban setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Warren Wilson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Warren Wilson College 12:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Warren Wilson vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Warren Wilson 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 Warren Wilson ($13,767 vs. $26,084).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 5.3% lower than at Warren Wilson College ($12,354 vs. $13,050).
• Warren Wilson College is 796.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $36,870 more per year; $41,500.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 380.9% higher at Warren Wilson than at Western Carolina University (about $32,870 more per year; $41,500.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Warren Wilson College than at Western Carolina University (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Warren Wilson College students is 415.4% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($30,887 vs. $5,993).

Warren Wilson vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Warren Wilson 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 Warren Wilson.

• Incoming Warren Wilson students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at WCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestern Carolina University 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Warren Wilson College 21/29; Western Carolina University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Warren Wilson - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Warren Wilson Jul 3, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Warren Wilson students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at WCU (3.44).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (81.8%) than Warren Wilson (71.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at Warren Wilson vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Warren Wilson vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Warren Wilson 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).

• Western Carolina University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Warren Wilson College's (45%).
• Graduates from Western Carolina University earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than Warren Wilson graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,100 vs. $30,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $990 lower median loan debt than Warren Wilson graduates ($22,010 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Warren Wilson graduates ($227 vs. $237).
• More Warren Wilson 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.