WCU vs. Randolph

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC with Randolph College in Lynchburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Carolina University is larger than Randolph based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 816 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Carolina University is located in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting); Randolph College is in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Randolph College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Carolina University 16:1; Randolph College 8:1.

WCU vs. Randolph Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU or Randolph? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than Randolph ($13,767 vs. $21,668).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Randolph College are 0% lower than at Western Carolina University ($12,350 vs. $12,354).
• Randolph College is 554.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $25,680 more per year; $30,310.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 251.2% higher at Randolph than at Western Carolina University (about $21,680 more per year; $30,310.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Randolph College than at Western Carolina University (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Randolph College students is 290% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($23,372 vs. $5,993).

WCU vs. Randolph Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WCU or Randolph? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Randolph and WCU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Carolina University (1180) is 20 points higher than at Randolph (1160).
• Incoming WCU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at Randolph (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Carolina University 1080/1270; Randolph College 1100/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Carolina University 19/25; Randolph College 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WCU - Test optional; Randolph - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at Randolph (3.35).
• Randolph has a higher acceptance rate (93.7%) than WCU (81.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at WCU vs. 11.7% at Randolph.

WCU vs. Randolph Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WCU and Randolph? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Randolph College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Western Carolina University's (50%).
• Graduates from Randolph College earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,200 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $4,990 lower median loan debt than Randolph graduates ($22,010 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Randolph graduates ($227 vs. $279).
• More Randolph graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 58%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.