WCU vs. Columbia International University

Should I go to Western Carolina University or Columbia International University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if WCU or Columbia International University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Western Carolina University vs. Columbia International University comparison
Western Carolina University Columbia International University College 3 College 4
Western Carolina University
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Overview

 WCU Columbia International University
Location Cullowhee, NC Columbia, SC
Setting Distant Town Midsize City
Enrollment 11,635 2,481
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #763 #705
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wcu.edu ciu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 WCU Columbia International University
Tuition (In State) $1,000 $25,620
Tuition (Out of State) $5,000 $25,620
Room & Board $11,173 $9,950
Avg Net Price $13,022 $19,911
Avg Grant Aid $4,526 $18,834
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 95%

Admission

 WCU Columbia International University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 17,917 506
Admitted 15,201 244
Acceptance Rate 84.8% 48.2%
Enrolled % 12.7% 73.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.44 3.5
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/26 16/25
SAT Range 1020/1240 990/1195
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Mar 1, 2025 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

 WCU Columbia International University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (20%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (69%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • General Studies (6%)
  • Communication (3%)

Outcomes

 WCU Columbia International University
Graduation Rate 50% 57%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,100 $33,400
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,010 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $227 $222

Diversity

 WCU Columbia International University
% Men 41% 46%
% Women 59% 54%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 72%
% Black 6% 10%
% Hispanic 6% 4%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 6%

Students

 WCU Columbia International University
% In-State 80% 59%
% Out-of-State 18% 38%

Campus

 WCU Columbia International 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 Columbia International University based on total student enrollment (11,635 students vs. 2,481 students)

WCU vs. Columbia International University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU or Columbia International University?

  • Columbia International University is 2,462% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($25,620.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 412.4% higher at Columbia International University than Western Carolina University ($25,620.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than Columbia International University ($13,022 vs. $19,911)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia International University are 12.3% lower than costs at Western Carolina University ($9,950 vs. $11,173)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Carolina University than Columbia International University (99% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia International University students is 316.1% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($18,834 vs. $4,526)

WCU vs. Columbia International University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WCU or Columbia International University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Columbia International University or WCU .

  • The average SAT score at Columbia International University (1045) is 13 points higher than at WCU (1032)
  • Incoming Columbia International University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at WCU (22)
  • Accepted freshman Columbia International University students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at WCU (3.44)
  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Columbia International University (48.2%)

WCU vs. Columbia International University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WCU or Columbia International 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 Columbia International University and WCU.

  • The graduation rate at Columbia International University is higher than Western Carolina University (57% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from Western Carolina University earn on average $5,700 more per year than Columbia International University graduates after ten years. ($39,100 vs. $33,400)
  • Columbia International University students graduate with a $510 lower median federal student loan debt than WCU graduates. ($21,500 vs. $22,010)
  • Columbia International University graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans than WCU graduates. ($222 vs. $227)
  • More Columbia International University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 58%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/