WCU vs. Converse College

Should I go to Western Carolina University or Converse College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if WCU or Converse College 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. Converse College comparison
Western Carolina University Converse College College 3 College 4
Western Carolina University Converse College
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Overview

WCU Converse College
Location Cullowhee, NC Spartanburg, SC
Setting Distant Town Small City
Enrollment 11,635 1,284
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #763 #588
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wcu.edu converse.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

WCU Converse College
Tuition (In State) $1,000 $21,060
Tuition (Out of State) $5,000 $21,060
Room & Board $11,173 $12,664
Avg Net Price $13,022 $19,653
Avg Grant Aid $4,526 $14,959
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 99%

Admission

WCU Converse College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 17,917 2,917
Admitted 15,201 1,621
Acceptance Rate 84.8% 55.6%
Enrolled % 12.7% 13.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.44 3.89
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Average Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/26 21/26
SAT Range 1020/1240 1020/1235
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 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

WCU Converse College
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (20%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (20%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Business (9%)
  • English and Literature (9%)

Outcomes

WCU Converse College
Graduation Rate 50% 60%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,100 $33,000
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,010 $26,952
Median Loan Payment $227 $278

Diversity

WCU Converse College
% Men 41% 21%
% Women 59% 79%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 79% 70%
% Black 6% 9%
% Hispanic 6% 5%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 10%

Students

WCU Converse College
% In-State 80% 64%
% Out-of-State 18% 30%

Campus

WCU Converse College
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 Converse College based on total student enrollment (11,635 students vs. 1,284 students)

WCU vs. Converse College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU or Converse College?

  • Converse College is 2,006% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($21,060.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 321.2% higher at Converse College than Western Carolina University ($21,060.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than Converse College ($13,022 vs. $19,653)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 13.3% lower than costs at Converse College ($11,173 vs. $12,664)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Western Carolina University as Converse College (99% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Converse College students is 230.5% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($14,959 vs. $4,526)

WCU vs. Converse College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Converse College (1040) is 8 points higher than at WCU (1032)
  • Incoming Converse College students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at WCU (22)
  • Accepted freshman Converse College students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at WCU (3.44)
  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Converse College (55.6%)

WCU vs. Converse College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WCU or Converse College? 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 Converse College and WCU.

  • The graduation rate at Converse College is higher than Western Carolina University (60% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from Western Carolina University earn on average $6,100 more per year than Converse College graduates after ten years. ($39,100 vs. $33,000)
  • Western Carolina University students graduate with a $4,942 lower median federal student loan debt than Converse College graduates. ($22,010 vs. $26,952)
  • WCU graduates are paying $51 less per month on federal student loans than Converse College graduates. ($227 vs. $278)
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Converse College students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 58%)

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