WCU vs. Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte

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

WCU Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte
Location Cullowhee, NC Charlotte, NC
Setting Distant Town Large City
Enrollment 11,635 1,140
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #763 #803
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wcu.edu jwu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

WCU Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte
Tuition (In State) $1,000 $37,896
Tuition (Out of State) $5,000 $37,896
Room & Board $11,173 $14,876
Avg Net Price $13,022 $29,238
Avg Grant Aid $4,526 $28,061
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

WCU Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 17,917 4,730
Admitted 15,201 3,469
Acceptance Rate 84.8% 73.3%
Enrolled % 12.7% 11.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.44 -
Typical High School Grades B+ -
Admissions Standards Average Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/26 16/22
SAT Range 1020/1240 890/1122
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

Academics

WCU Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte
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%)
  • Personal and Culinary Services (59%)
  • Work and Family Studies (20%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (4%)

Outcomes

WCU Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte
Graduation Rate 50% 49%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,100 $40,100
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 66%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,010 $26,900
Median Loan Payment $227 $278

Diversity

WCU Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte
% Men 41% 34%
% Women 59% 66%
Racial Diversity Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 79% 43%
% Black 6% 37%
% Hispanic 6% 6%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 7%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 5%

Students

WCU Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte
% In-State 80% 34%
% Out-of-State 18% 66%

Campus

WCU Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte
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 Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte based on total student enrollment (11,635 students vs. 1,140 students)

WCU vs. Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU or Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte?

  • Johnson & Wales University Charlotte is 3,689.6% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($37,896.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 657.9% higher at Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte than Western Carolina University ($37,896.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte ($13,022 vs. $29,238)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 33.1% lower than costs at Johnson & Wales University Charlotte ($11,173 vs. $14,876)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Johnson & Wales University Charlotte than Western Carolina University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Johnson & Wales University Charlotte students is 520% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($28,061 vs. $4,526)

WCU vs. Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte (73.3%)

WCU vs. Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WCU or Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte? 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 Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte and WCU.

  • The graduation rate at WCU is higher than Johnson & Wales University Charlotte (50% vs. 49%)
  • Graduates from Johnson & Wales University Charlotte earn on average $1,000 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($40,100 vs. $39,100)
  • Western Carolina University students graduate with a $4,890 lower median federal student loan debt than Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte graduates. ($22,010 vs. $26,900)
  • WCU graduates are paying $51 less per month on federal student loans than Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte graduates. ($227 vs. $278)
  • More Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 58%)

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