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ECU ASU UNC Charlotte UNCW University of North Carolina at Asheville ETSU UNCG NC State UNC Chapel Hill University of North Carolina at Pembroke Otterbein University BYU| Western Carolina University | Capital University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
WCU | Capital University | ||
| Location | Cullowhee, NC | Columbus, OH | ||
| Setting | Distant Town | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 11,635 | 2,617 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #763 | #543 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | Evangelical Lutheran Church | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | wcu.edu | capital.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
WCU | Capital University | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $1,000 | $39,900 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $5,000 | $39,900 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,173 | $12,308 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $13,022 | $24,439 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $4,526 | $28,469 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 99% | 98% |
Admission |
WCU | Capital University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 17,917 | 4,370 | ||
| Admitted | 15,201 | 3,153 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 84.8% | 72.2% | ||
| Enrolled % | 12.7% | 16.4% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.44 | 3.63 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Average | Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 19/26 | 18/24 | ||
| SAT Range | 1020/1240 | 960/1186 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Mar 1, 2025 | May 1, 2025 |
Academics |
WCU | Capital University | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 16:1 | 9:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
WCU | Capital University | ||
| Graduation Rate | 50% | 61% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $39,100 | $47,300 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 58% | 64% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $22,010 | $27,000 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $227 | $279 |
Diversity |
WCU | Capital University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 41% | 40% | ||
| % Women | 59% | 60% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 79% | 75% | ||
| % Black | 6% | 10% | ||
| % Hispanic | 6% | 4% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 4% | 5% | ||
| % International | 1% | 2% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 3% |
Students |
WCU | Capital University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 80% | 94% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 18% | 4% | ||
Campus |
WCU | Capital University | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Western Carolina University is larger than than Capital University based on total student enrollment (11,635 students vs. 2,617 students)
WCU vs. Capital University Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, WCU or Capital University?
- Capital University is 3,890% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($39,900.00 vs. $1,000.00)
- Out of state tuition is 698% higher at Capital University than Western Carolina University ($39,900.00 vs. $5,000.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than Capital University ($13,022 vs. $24,439)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 10.2% lower than costs at Capital University ($11,173 vs. $12,308)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Western Carolina University than Capital University (99% vs. 98%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Capital University students is 529% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($28,469 vs. $4,526)
WCU vs. Capital University Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, WCU or Capital University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Capital University or WCU .
- The average SAT score at Capital University (1133) is 101 points higher than at WCU (1032)
- Incoming Capital University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at WCU (22)
- Accepted freshman Capital University students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at WCU (3.44)
- WCU has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Capital University (72.2%)
WCU vs. Capital University Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, WCU or Capital 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 Capital University and WCU.
- The graduation rate at Capital University is higher than Western Carolina University (61% vs. 50%)
- Graduates from Capital University earn on average $8,200 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($47,300 vs. $39,100)
- Western Carolina University students graduate with a $4,990 lower median federal student loan debt than Capital University graduates. ($22,010 vs. $27,000)
- WCU graduates are paying $52 less per month on federal student loans than Capital University graduates. ($227 vs. $279)
- More Capital University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 58%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/