WCU vs. Lipscomb

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

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Belmont ECU ASU UNC Charlotte UNCW Samford University University of North Carolina at Asheville ETSU UNCG NC State Harding University Union University
Western Carolina University vs. Lipscomb University comparison
Western Carolina University Lipscomb University College 3 College 4
Western Carolina University Lipscomb University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

WCU Lipscomb
Location Cullowhee, NC Nashville, TN
Setting Distant Town Large City
Enrollment 11,635 4,704
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #763 #279
Religious Affiliation - Churches of Christ - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wcu.edu lipscomb.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

WCU Lipscomb
Tuition (In State) $1,000 $34,304
Tuition (Out of State) $5,000 $34,304
Room & Board $11,173 $14,036
Avg Net Price $13,022 $27,937
Avg Grant Aid $4,526 $24,404
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

WCU Lipscomb
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 17,917 3,705
Admitted 15,201 2,635
Acceptance Rate 84.8% 71.1%
Enrolled % 12.7% 26.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.44 3.73
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Average Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/26 23/30
SAT Range 1020/1240 1130/1320
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 Lipscomb
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%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Biology (10%)
  • Psychology (6%)

Outcomes

WCU Lipscomb
Graduation Rate 50% 63%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,100 $46,900
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 68%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,010 $20,500
Median Loan Payment $227 $211

Diversity

WCU Lipscomb
% Men 41% 35%
% Women 59% 65%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 77%
% Black 6% 7%
% Hispanic 6% 7%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

WCU Lipscomb
% In-State 80% 54%
% Out-of-State 18% 44%

Campus

WCU Lipscomb
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Western Carolina University is larger than than Lipscomb based on total student enrollment (11,635 students vs. 4,704 students)

WCU vs. Lipscomb Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU or Lipscomb?

  • Lipscomb University is 3,330.4% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($34,304.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 586.1% higher at Lipscomb than Western Carolina University ($34,304.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than Lipscomb ($13,022 vs. $27,937)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 25.6% lower than costs at Lipscomb University ($11,173 vs. $14,036)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Lipscomb University than Western Carolina University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lipscomb University students is 439.2% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($24,404 vs. $4,526)

WCU vs. Lipscomb Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Lipscomb University (1176) is 144 points higher than at WCU (1032)
  • Incoming Lipscomb students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at WCU (22)
  • Accepted freshman Lipscomb students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at WCU (3.44)
  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Lipscomb (71.1%)

WCU vs. Lipscomb Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WCU or Lipscomb? 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 Lipscomb and WCU.

  • The graduation rate at Lipscomb is higher than Western Carolina University (63% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from Lipscomb University earn on average $7,800 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($46,900 vs. $39,100)
  • Lipscomb University students graduate with a $1,510 lower median federal student loan debt than WCU graduates. ($20,500 vs. $22,010)
  • Lipscomb graduates are paying $16 less per month on federal student loans than WCU graduates. ($211 vs. $227)
  • More Lipscomb graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 58%)

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