Add a college to compare up to four schools
Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison.
ECU ASU UNC Charlotte UNCW University of North Carolina at Asheville ETSU UNCG NC State Coastal Carolina Winthrop University UNC Chapel Hill University of North Carolina at Pembroke| Western Carolina University | Lander University | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|||
| 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 |
|
|
||
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/