WCU vs. Lincoln Memorial University

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

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Western Carolina University vs. Lincoln Memorial University comparison
Western Carolina University Lincoln Memorial University College 3 College 4
Western Carolina University Lincoln Memorial University
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Overview

WCU Lincoln Memorial University
Location Cullowhee, NC Harrogate, TN
Setting Distant Town Distant Town
Enrollment 11,635 5,418
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #763 #528
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wcu.edu lmunet.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

WCU Lincoln Memorial University
Tuition (In State) $1,000 $24,720
Tuition (Out of State) $5,000 $24,720
Room & Board $11,173 $11,070
Avg Net Price $13,022 $19,162
Avg Grant Aid $4,526 $19,105
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

WCU Lincoln Memorial University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 17,917 2,347
Admitted 15,201 1,842
Acceptance Rate 84.8% 78.5%
Enrolled % 12.7% 19.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.44 3.29
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Average Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/26 18/24
SAT Range 1020/1240 982/1190
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 Lincoln Memorial University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 8:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (20%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Health Professions (53%)
  • Business (21%)
  • Education (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (3%)
  • English and Literature (3%)

Outcomes

WCU Lincoln Memorial University
Graduation Rate 50% 49%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,100 $38,900
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,010 $17,020
Median Loan Payment $227 $175

Diversity

WCU Lincoln Memorial University
% Men 41% 33%
% Women 59% 67%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 83%
% Black 6% 5%
% Hispanic 6% 0%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 1% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 5%

Students

WCU Lincoln Memorial University
% In-State 80% 54%
% Out-of-State 18% 36%

Campus

WCU Lincoln Memorial 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 Lincoln Memorial University based on total student enrollment (11,635 students vs. 5,418 students)

WCU vs. Lincoln Memorial University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU or Lincoln Memorial University?

  • Lincoln Memorial University is 2,372% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($24,720.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 394.4% higher at Lincoln Memorial University than Western Carolina University ($24,720.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than Lincoln Memorial University ($13,022 vs. $19,162)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lincoln Memorial University are 0.9% lower than costs at Western Carolina University ($11,070 vs. $11,173)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Lincoln Memorial University than Western Carolina University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lincoln Memorial University students is 322.1% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($19,105 vs. $4,526)

WCU vs. Lincoln Memorial University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Lincoln Memorial University (1055) is 23 points higher than at WCU (1032)
  • Incoming Lincoln Memorial University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at WCU (22)
  • Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at Lincoln Memorial University (3.29)
  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Lincoln Memorial University (78.5%)

WCU vs. Lincoln Memorial University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WCU or Lincoln Memorial 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 Lincoln Memorial University and WCU.

  • The graduation rate at WCU is higher than Lincoln Memorial University (50% vs. 49%)
  • Graduates from Western Carolina University earn on average $200 more per year than Lincoln Memorial University graduates after ten years. ($39,100 vs. $38,900)
  • Lincoln Memorial University students graduate with a $4,990 lower median federal student loan debt than WCU graduates. ($17,020 vs. $22,010)
  • Lincoln Memorial University graduates are paying $52 less per month on federal student loans than WCU graduates. ($175 vs. $227)
  • More Lincoln Memorial University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 58%)

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