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 11,628 1,341
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #742 #722
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wcu.edu converse.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 WCU Converse College
Tuition (In State) $1,000 $22,746
Tuition (Out of State) $5,000 $22,746
Room & Board $11,764 $13,424
Avg Net Price $12,252 $19,438
Avg Grant Aid $5,442 $16,312
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

 WCU Converse College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 18,183 2,628
Admitted 15,758 1,682
Acceptance Rate 86.7% 64%
Enrolled % 13.3% 13.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.44 3.89
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Average Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/26 21/26
SAT Range 1050/1260 1030/1238
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, 2026 Aug 1, 2026

Academics

 WCU Converse College
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 12:1
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 4% 6%
% Women 10% 30%
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 78% 64%
% Out-of-State 19% 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 (11,628 students vs. 1,341 students)

WCU vs. Converse College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU or Converse College?

  • Converse College is 2,174.6% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($22,746.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 354.9% higher at Converse College than Western Carolina University ($22,746.00 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 ($12,252 vs. $19,438)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 14.1% lower than costs at Converse College ($11,764 vs. $13,424)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Converse College than Western Carolina University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Converse College students is 199.7% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($16,312 vs. $5,442)

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 (86.7%) than Converse College (64%)

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/