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ECU ASU Regent University Lee University UNC Charlotte UNCW Cedarville University University of North Carolina at Asheville JMU ETSU UNCG NC State| Western Carolina University | Liberty University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
WCU | Liberty University | ||
| Location | Cullowhee, NC | Lynchburg, VA | ||
| Setting | Distant Town | Small City | ||
| Enrollment | 11,635 | 96,709 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #763 | #852 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | Baptist | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | wcu.edu | liberty.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
WCU | Liberty University | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $1,000 | $21,374 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $5,000 | $21,374 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,173 | $12,350 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $13,022 | $29,913 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $4,526 | $12,471 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 99% | 98% |
Admission |
WCU | Liberty University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 17,917 | 30,943 | ||
| Admitted | 15,201 | 30,723 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 84.8% | 99.3%Open | ||
| Enrolled % | 12.7% | 19.9%Open | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.44 | 3.56 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Average | Challenging | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 19/26 | 21/29 | ||
| SAT Range | 1020/1240 | 1040/1250 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) | ||
| Application Deadline | Mar 1, 2025 |
Academics |
WCU | Liberty University | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 16:1 | 18:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
WCU | Liberty University | ||
| Graduation Rate | 50% | 47% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $39,100 | $39,100 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 58% | 36% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $22,010 | $24,166 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $227 | $249 |
Diversity |
WCU | Liberty University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 41% | 41% | ||
| % Women | 59% | 59% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | Very High | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 79% | 46% | ||
| % Black | 6% | 13% | ||
| % Hispanic | 6% | 5% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 4% | 2% | ||
| % International | 1% | 2% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 31% |
Students |
WCU | Liberty University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 80% | 22% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 18% | 76% | ||
Campus |
WCU | Liberty 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
- Liberty University is larger than than WCU based on total student enrollment (96,709 students vs. 11,635 students)
WCU vs. Liberty University Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, WCU or Liberty University?
- Liberty University is 2,037.4% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($21,374.00 vs. $1,000.00)
- Out of state tuition is 327.5% higher at Liberty University than Western Carolina University ($21,374.00 vs. $5,000.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than Liberty University ($13,022 vs. $29,913)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 10.5% lower than costs at Liberty University ($11,173 vs. $12,350)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Western Carolina University than Liberty University (99% vs. 98%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Liberty University students is 175.5% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($12,471 vs. $4,526)
WCU vs. Liberty University Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, WCU or Liberty University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Liberty University or WCU .
- The average SAT score at Liberty University (1070) is 38 points higher than at WCU (1032)
- Incoming Liberty University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at WCU (22)
- Accepted freshman Liberty University students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at WCU (3.44)
- Liberty University has a higher acceptance rate (99.3%) than WCU (84.8%)
WCU vs. Liberty University Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, WCU or Liberty 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 Liberty University and WCU.
- The graduation rate at WCU is higher than Liberty University (50% vs. 47%)
- Graduates of Western Carolina University and Liberty University have equivalent average earnings after ten years ($39,100 vs. $39,100)
- Western Carolina University students graduate with a $2,156 lower median federal student loan debt than Liberty University graduates. ($22,010 vs. $24,166)
- WCU graduates are paying $22 less per month on federal student loans than Liberty University graduates. ($227 vs. $249)
- More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Liberty University students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 36%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/