WCU vs. CofC

Comparable Facts

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

College of Charleston is larger than WCU based on total student enrollment (11,926 students vs. 11,686 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

WCU vs. CofC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU or CofC? 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 CofC ($13,767 vs. $21,004).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 13.8% lower than at College of Charleston ($12,354 vs. $14,332).
• College of Charleston is 180.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $8,348 more per year; $12,978.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 343.8% higher at CofC than at Western Carolina University (about $29,666 more per year; $38,296.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Charleston than at Western Carolina University (95% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Charleston students is 49.9% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($8,983 vs. $5,993).

WCU vs. CofC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Charleston (1230) is 50 points higher than at WCU (1180).
• Incoming CofC students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 22 at WCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Carolina University 1080/1270; College of Charleston 1140/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Carolina University 19/25; College of Charleston 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WCU - Test optional; CofC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027; CofC Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CofC students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at WCU (3.44).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (81.8%) than CofC (60%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at WCU vs. 11.9% at CofC.

WCU vs. CofC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WCU and CofC? 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).

• College of Charleston's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Western Carolina University's (50%).
• Graduates from College of Charleston earn a median of about $7,100 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,200 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Charleston graduates have a $510 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($21,500 vs. $22,010).
• Among borrowers, CofC graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($222 vs. $227).
• More CofC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.