WCU vs. Middle Tennessee State University

Should I go to Western Carolina University or Middle Tennessee State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if WCU or Middle Tennessee State 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. Middle Tennessee State University comparison
Western Carolina University Middle Tennessee State University College 3 College 4
Western Carolina University Middle Tennessee State University
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Overview

WCU Middle Tennessee State University
Location Cullowhee, NC Murfreesboro, TN
Setting Distant Town Midsize City
Enrollment 11,635 20,086
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #763 #656
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wcu.edu mtsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

WCU Middle Tennessee State University
Tuition (In State) $1,000 $7,344
Tuition (Out of State) $5,000 $26,376
Room & Board $11,173 $9,576
Avg Net Price $13,022 $13,062
Avg Grant Aid $4,526 $9,421
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

WCU Middle Tennessee State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 17,917 12,868
Admitted 15,201 9,335
Acceptance Rate 84.8% 72.5%
Enrolled % 12.7% 30%
Avg High School GPA 3.44 3.64
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/26 19/26
SAT Range 1020/1240 1020/1230
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Mar 1, 2025 Aug 15, 2025

Academics

WCU Middle Tennessee State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (20%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • General Studies (9%)
  • Communication (6%)

Outcomes

WCU Middle Tennessee State University
Graduation Rate 50% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,100 $42,300
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 50%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,010 $21,758
Median Loan Payment $227 $224

Diversity

WCU Middle Tennessee State University
% Men 41% 45%
% Women 59% 55%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 79% 64%
% Black 6% 22%
% Hispanic 6% 4%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 1% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

WCU Middle Tennessee State University
% In-State 80% 89%
% Out-of-State 18% 11%

Campus

WCU Middle Tennessee State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Middle Tennessee State University is larger than than WCU based on total student enrollment (20,086 students vs. 11,635 students)

WCU vs. Middle Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU or Middle Tennessee State University?

  • Middle Tennessee State University is 634.4% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($7,344.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 427.5% higher at Middle Tennessee State University than Western Carolina University ($26,376.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than Middle Tennessee State University ($13,022 vs. $13,062)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Middle Tennessee State University are 16.7% lower than costs at Western Carolina University ($9,576 vs. $11,173)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Middle Tennessee State University than Western Carolina University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Middle Tennessee State University students is 108.2% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($9,421 vs. $4,526)

WCU vs. Middle Tennessee State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Carolina University (1032) is 1 points higher than at Middle Tennessee State University (1031)
  • Incoming WCU students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Middle Tennessee State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Middle Tennessee State University students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at WCU (3.44)
  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Middle Tennessee State University (72.5%)

WCU vs. Middle Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WCU or Middle Tennessee State 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 Middle Tennessee State University and WCU.

  • The graduation rate at WCU is higher than Middle Tennessee State University (50% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Middle Tennessee State University earn on average $3,200 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($42,300 vs. $39,100)
  • Middle Tennessee State University students graduate with a $252 lower median federal student loan debt than WCU graduates. ($21,758 vs. $22,010)
  • Middle Tennessee State University graduates are paying $3 less per month on federal student loans than WCU graduates. ($224 vs. $227)
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Middle Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 50%)

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