WCU vs. Lander University

Should I go to Western Carolina University or Lander University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if WCU or Lander 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Western Carolina University vs. Lander University comparison
Western Carolina University Lander University College 3 College 4
Western Carolina University Lander University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

WCU Lander University
Location Cullowhee, NC Greenwood, SC
Setting Distant Town Distant Town
Enrollment 11,635 4,167
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #763 #973
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wcu.edu lander.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

WCU Lander University
Tuition (In State) $1,000 $10,700
Tuition (Out of State) $5,000 $20,300
Room & Board $11,173 $10,700
Avg Net Price $13,022 $15,524
Avg Grant Aid $4,526 $10,763
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 98%

Admission

WCU Lander University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 17,917 4,663
Admitted 15,201 3,143
Acceptance Rate 84.8% 67.4%
Enrolled % 12.7% 26.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.44 3.66
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/26 17/24
SAT Range 1020/1240 950/1190
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 Lander University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (20%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)

Outcomes

WCU Lander University
Graduation Rate 50% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,100 $37,000
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 46%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,010 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $227 $279

Diversity

WCU Lander University
% Men 41% 32%
% Women 59% 68%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 79% 58%
% Black 6% 31%
% Hispanic 6% 1%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 4%

Students

WCU Lander University
% In-State 80% 87%
% Out-of-State 18% 10%

Campus

WCU Lander 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 Lander University based on total student enrollment (11,635 students vs. 4,167 students)

WCU vs. Lander University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU or Lander University?

  • Lander University is 970% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($10,700.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 306% higher at Lander University than Western Carolina University ($20,300.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than Lander University ($13,022 vs. $15,524)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lander University are 4.4% lower than costs at Western Carolina University ($10,700 vs. $11,173)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Carolina University than Lander University (99% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lander University students is 137.8% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($10,763 vs. $4,526)

WCU vs. Lander University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Carolina University (1032) is 110 points higher than at Lander University (922)
  • Incoming WCU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Lander University (20)
  • Accepted freshman Lander University students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at WCU (3.44)
  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Lander University (67.4%)

WCU vs. Lander University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WCU or Lander 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 Lander University and WCU.

  • The graduation rate at WCU is higher than Lander University (50% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Western Carolina University earn on average $2,100 more per year than Lander University graduates after ten years. ($39,100 vs. $37,000)
  • Western Carolina University students graduate with a $4,990 lower median federal student loan debt than Lander University graduates. ($22,010 vs. $27,000)
  • WCU graduates are paying $52 less per month on federal student loans than Lander University graduates. ($227 vs. $279)
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lander University students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 46%)

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