WCU vs. Coastal Carolina

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC with Coastal Carolina University in Conway, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Carolina University is larger than Coastal Carolina based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 11,348 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Carolina University is located in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting); Coastal Carolina University is in Conway, SC (Small City setting).
• Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Coastal Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Carolina University 16:1; Coastal Carolina University 17:1.

WCU vs. Coastal Carolina Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU or Coastal Carolina? 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 Coastal Carolina ($13,767 vs. $14,379).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Coastal Carolina University are 1.7% lower than at Western Carolina University ($12,146 vs. $12,354).
• Coastal Carolina University is 151.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $7,010 more per year; $11,640.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 243.3% higher at Coastal Carolina than at Western Carolina University (about $20,998 more per year; $29,628.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Coastal Carolina University than at Western Carolina University (94% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Coastal Carolina University students is 68.3% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($10,087 vs. $5,993).

WCU vs. Coastal Carolina Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WCU or Coastal Carolina? 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 Coastal Carolina and WCU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Carolina University (1180) is 40 points higher than at Coastal Carolina (1140).
• Incoming Coastal Carolina students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at WCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Carolina University 1080/1270; Coastal Carolina University 1050/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Carolina University 19/25; Coastal Carolina University 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WCU - Test optional; Coastal Carolina - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Coastal Carolina students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at WCU (3.44).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (81.8%) than Coastal Carolina (75.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at WCU vs. 16.9% at Coastal Carolina.

WCU vs. Coastal Carolina Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WCU and Coastal Carolina? 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 Coastal Carolina University's (46%).
• Graduates from Coastal Carolina University earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,200 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $2,920 lower median loan debt than Coastal Carolina graduates ($22,010 vs. $24,930).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $30 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Coastal Carolina graduates ($227 vs. $257).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Coastal Carolina students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 54%)

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.