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ECU ASU UNC Charlotte UNCW University of North Carolina at Asheville ETSU Ohio State UNCG NC State UNC Chapel Hill University of North Carolina at Pembroke ONU| Western Carolina University | Otterbein University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
WCU | Otterbein University | ||
| Location | Cullowhee, NC | Westerville, OH | ||
| Setting | Distant Town | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 11,635 | 2,458 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #763 | #542 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | United Methodist | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | wcu.edu | otterbein.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
WCU | Otterbein University | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $1,000 | $33,824 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $5,000 | $33,824 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,173 | $11,988 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $13,022 | $22,661 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $4,526 | $24,060 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 99% | 100% |
Admission |
WCU | Otterbein University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 17,917 | 3,762 | ||
| Admitted | 15,201 | 3,148 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 84.8% | 83.7% | ||
| Enrolled % | 12.7% | 17.5% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.44 | 3.66 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Average | Average | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 19/26 | 20/27 | ||
| SAT Range | 1020/1240 | 1035/1260 | ||
| 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 | Otterbein University | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 16:1 | 12:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
WCU | Otterbein University | ||
| Graduation Rate | 50% | 62% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $39,100 | $44,800 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 58% | 69% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $22,010 | $27,000 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $227 | $279 |
Diversity |
WCU | Otterbein University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 41% | 39% | ||
| % Women | 59% | 61% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 79% | 76% | ||
| % Black | 6% | 6% | ||
| % Hispanic | 6% | 2% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 4% | 4% | ||
| % International | 1% | 1% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 10% |
Students |
WCU | Otterbein University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 80% | 88% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 18% | 12% | ||
Campus |
WCU | Otterbein 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
- Western Carolina University is larger than than Otterbein University based on total student enrollment (11,635 students vs. 2,458 students)
WCU vs. Otterbein University Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, WCU or Otterbein University?
- Otterbein University is 3,282.4% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($33,824.00 vs. $1,000.00)
- Out of state tuition is 576.5% higher at Otterbein University than Western Carolina University ($33,824.00 vs. $5,000.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than Otterbein University ($13,022 vs. $22,661)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 7.3% lower than costs at Otterbein University ($11,173 vs. $11,988)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Otterbein University than Western Carolina University (100% vs. 99%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Otterbein University students is 431.6% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($24,060 vs. $4,526)
WCU vs. Otterbein University Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, WCU or Otterbein University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Otterbein University or WCU .
- The average SAT score at Otterbein University (1120) is 88 points higher than at WCU (1032)
- Incoming Otterbein University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at WCU (22)
- Accepted freshman Otterbein University students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at WCU (3.44)
- WCU has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Otterbein University (83.7%)
WCU vs. Otterbein University Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, WCU or Otterbein 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 Otterbein University and WCU.
- The graduation rate at Otterbein University is higher than Western Carolina University (62% vs. 50%)
- Graduates from Otterbein University earn on average $5,700 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($44,800 vs. $39,100)
- Western Carolina University students graduate with a $4,990 lower median federal student loan debt than Otterbein University graduates. ($22,010 vs. $27,000)
- WCU graduates are paying $52 less per month on federal student loans than Otterbein University graduates. ($227 vs. $279)
- More Otterbein University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 58%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/