WCU vs. Ohio University

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

WCU Ohio University
Location Cullowhee, NC Athens, OH
Setting Distant Town Distant Town
Enrollment 11,635 24,145
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #763 #525
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wcu.edu ohio.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

WCU Ohio University
Tuition (In State) $1,000 $13,352
Tuition (Out of State) $5,000 $23,720
Room & Board $11,173 $12,336
Avg Net Price $13,022 $20,207
Avg Grant Aid $4,526 $9,416
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 96%

Admission

WCU Ohio University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 17,917 24,978
Admitted 15,201 21,610
Acceptance Rate 84.8% 86.5%
Enrolled % 12.7% 20.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.44 3.59
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/26 22/27
SAT Range 1020/1240 1080/1270
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 Feb 1, 2025

Academics

WCU Ohio University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (20%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Communication (14%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)

Outcomes

WCU Ohio University
Graduation Rate 50% 65%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,100 $44,500
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 51%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,010 $20,500
Median Loan Payment $227 $211

Diversity

WCU Ohio University
% Men 41% 40%
% Women 59% 60%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 83%
% Black 6% 5%
% Hispanic 6% 3%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 1% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

WCU Ohio University
% In-State 80% 88%
% Out-of-State 18% 12%

Campus

WCU Ohio University
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

  • Ohio University Main Campus is larger than than WCU based on total student enrollment (24,145 students vs. 11,635 students)

WCU vs. Ohio University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU or Ohio University?

  • Ohio University Main Campus is 1,235.2% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($13,352.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 374.4% higher at Ohio University than Western Carolina University ($23,720.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than Ohio University ($13,022 vs. $20,207)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 10.4% lower than costs at Ohio University Main Campus ($11,173 vs. $12,336)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Carolina University than Ohio University Main Campus (99% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ohio University Main Campus students is 108% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($9,416 vs. $4,526)

WCU vs. Ohio University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Ohio University Main Campus (1108) is 76 points higher than at WCU (1032)
  • Incoming Ohio University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at WCU (22)
  • Accepted freshman Ohio University students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at WCU (3.44)
  • Ohio University has a higher acceptance rate (86.5%) than WCU (84.8%)

WCU vs. Ohio University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WCU or Ohio 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 Ohio University and WCU.

  • The graduation rate at Ohio University is higher than Western Carolina University (65% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from Ohio University Main Campus earn on average $5,400 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($44,500 vs. $39,100)
  • Ohio University Main Campus students graduate with a $1,510 lower median federal student loan debt than WCU graduates. ($20,500 vs. $22,010)
  • Ohio University graduates are paying $16 less per month on federal student loans than WCU graduates. ($211 vs. $227)
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ohio University students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 51%)

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