WCU vs. HSC- Hampden-Sydney

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC with Hampden Sydney College in Hampden-Sydney, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Carolina University is larger than HSC- Hampden-Sydney based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 946 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Carolina University is located in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting); Hampden Sydney College is in Hampden-Sydney, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Hampden Sydney College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Carolina University 16:1; Hampden Sydney College 9:1.

WCU vs. HSC- Hampden-Sydney Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU or HSC- Hampden-Sydney? 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 HSC- Hampden-Sydney ($13,767 vs. $29,717).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 26.2% lower than at Hampden Sydney College ($12,354 vs. $16,732).
• Hampden Sydney College is 1,078.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $49,920 more per year; $54,550.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 532.1% higher at HSC- Hampden-Sydney than at Western Carolina University (about $45,920 more per year; $54,550.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hampden Sydney College than at Western Carolina University (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hampden Sydney College students is 579.5% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($40,720 vs. $5,993).

WCU vs. HSC- Hampden-Sydney Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WCU or HSC- Hampden-Sydney? 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 HSC- Hampden-Sydney and WCU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Carolina University (1180) is 40 points higher than at HSC- Hampden-Sydney (1140).
• Incoming HSC- Hampden-Sydney students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at WCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Carolina University 1080/1270; Hampden Sydney College 1030/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Carolina University 19/25; Hampden Sydney College 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WCU - Test optional; HSC- Hampden-Sydney - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027; HSC- Hampden-Sydney Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman HSC- Hampden-Sydney students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at WCU (3.44).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (81.8%) than HSC- Hampden-Sydney (40.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at WCU vs. 22.8% at HSC- Hampden-Sydney.

WCU vs. HSC- Hampden-Sydney Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WCU and HSC- Hampden-Sydney? 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).

• Hampden Sydney College's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Western Carolina University's (50%).
• Graduates from Hampden Sydney College earn a median of about $14,900 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,000 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $4,990 lower median loan debt than HSC- Hampden-Sydney graduates ($22,010 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HSC- Hampden-Sydney graduates ($227 vs. $279).
• More HSC- Hampden-Sydney graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.