WCU vs. University of Lynchburg

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

ECU ASU UNC Charlotte UNCW University of North Carolina at Asheville ETSU UNCG NC State BC UNC Chapel Hill University of North Carolina at Pembroke SU
Western Carolina University vs. University of Lynchburg comparison
Western Carolina University University of Lynchburg College 3 College 4
Western Carolina University University of Lynchburg
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

WCU University of Lynchburg
Location Cullowhee, NC Lynchburg, VA
Setting Distant Town Small City
Enrollment 11,628 2,592
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #742 #627
Religious Affiliation - Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wcu.edu lynchburg.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

WCU University of Lynchburg
Tuition (In State) $1,000 $35,540
Tuition (Out of State) $5,000 $35,540
Room & Board $11,764 $13,250
Avg Net Price $12,252 $22,921
Avg Grant Aid $5,442 $25,972
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

WCU University of Lynchburg
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 18,183 4,813
Admitted 15,758 3,956
Acceptance Rate 86.7% 82.2%
Enrolled % 13.3% 12.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.44 3.53
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/26
SAT Range 1050/1260 980/1230
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, 2026 Sep 1, 2025

Academics

WCU University of Lynchburg
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (20%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Business (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Communication (8%)

Outcomes

WCU University of Lynchburg
Graduation Rate 50% 52%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,100 $46,400
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 70%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,010 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $227 $279

Diversity

WCU University of Lynchburg
% Men 4% 10%
% Women 10% 21%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 73%
% Black 6% 11%
% Hispanic 6% 5%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 1% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 3%

Students

WCU University of Lynchburg
% In-State 78% 59%
% Out-of-State 19% 23%

Campus

WCU University of Lynchburg
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 University of Lynchburg based on total student enrollment (11,628 students vs. 2,592 students)

WCU vs. University of Lynchburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU or University of Lynchburg?

  • University of Lynchburg is 3,454% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($35,540.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 610.8% higher at University of Lynchburg than Western Carolina University ($35,540.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than University of Lynchburg ($12,252 vs. $22,921)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 12.6% lower than costs at University of Lynchburg ($11,764 vs. $13,250)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Lynchburg than Western Carolina University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Lynchburg students is 377.3% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($25,972 vs. $5,442)

WCU vs. University of Lynchburg Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Carolina University (1032) is 18 points higher than at University of Lynchburg (1014)
  • Incoming WCU students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at University of Lynchburg (22)
  • Accepted freshman University of Lynchburg students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at WCU (3.44)
  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (86.7%) than University of Lynchburg (82.2%)

WCU vs. University of Lynchburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WCU or University of Lynchburg? 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 University of Lynchburg and WCU.

  • The graduation rate at University of Lynchburg is higher than Western Carolina University (52% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from University of Lynchburg earn on average $7,300 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($46,400 vs. $39,100)
  • Western Carolina University students graduate with a $4,990 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Lynchburg graduates. ($22,010 vs. $27,000)
  • WCU graduates are paying $52 less per month on federal student loans than University of Lynchburg graduates. ($227 vs. $279)
  • More University of Lynchburg graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 58%)

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