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ECU ASU UNC Charlotte University of North Dakota UNCW USD Dakota State University of North Carolina at Asheville ETSU UNCG NC State ISU| Western Carolina University | South Dakota State University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
WCU | South Dakota State University | ||
| Location | Cullowhee, NC | Brookings, SD | ||
| Setting | Distant Town | Remote Town | ||
| Enrollment | 11,635 | 11,327 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #763 | #600 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | wcu.edu | sdstate.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
WCU | South Dakota State University | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $1,000 | $7,773 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $5,000 | $11,283 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,173 | $8,087 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $13,022 | $18,160 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $4,526 | $4,551 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 99% | 100% |
Admission |
WCU | South Dakota State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 17,917 | 6,364 | ||
| Admitted | 15,201 | 5,478 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 84.8% | 86.1% | ||
| Enrolled % | 12.7% | 40% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.44 | 3.53 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Average | Moderate | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 19/26 | 19/25 | ||
| SAT Range | 1020/1240 | 1020/1245 | ||
| 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 | South Dakota State University | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 16:1 | 18:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
WCU | South Dakota State University | ||
| Graduation Rate | 50% | 60% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $39,100 | $47,700 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 58% | 77% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $22,010 | $25,116 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $227 | $259 |
Diversity |
WCU | South Dakota State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 41% | 44% | ||
| % Women | 59% | 56% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | Very Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 79% | 88% | ||
| % Black | 6% | 2% | ||
| % Hispanic | 6% | 2% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 4% | 2% | ||
| % International | 1% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 0% |
Students |
WCU | South Dakota State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 80% | 50% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 18% | 48% | ||
Campus |
WCU | South Dakota State University | ||
| 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 South Dakota State University based on total student enrollment (11,635 students vs. 11,327 students)
WCU vs. South Dakota State University Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, WCU or South Dakota State University?
- South Dakota State University is 677.3% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($7,773.00 vs. $1,000.00)
- Out of state tuition is 125.7% higher at South Dakota State University than Western Carolina University ($11,283.00 vs. $5,000.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than South Dakota State University ($13,022 vs. $18,160)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota State University are 38.2% lower than costs at Western Carolina University ($8,087 vs. $11,173)
- More students receive financial grant aid at South Dakota State University than Western Carolina University (100% vs. 99%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by South Dakota State University students is 0.6% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($4,551 vs. $4,526)
WCU vs. South Dakota State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, WCU or South Dakota State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between South Dakota State University or WCU .
- The average SAT score at South Dakota State University (1068) is 36 points higher than at WCU (1032)
- Incoming South Dakota State University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at WCU (22)
- Accepted freshman South Dakota State University students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at WCU (3.44)
- South Dakota State University has a higher acceptance rate (86.1%) than WCU (84.8%)
WCU vs. South Dakota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, WCU or South Dakota 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 South Dakota State University and WCU.
- The graduation rate at South Dakota State University is higher than Western Carolina University (60% vs. 50%)
- Graduates from South Dakota State University earn on average $8,600 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($47,700 vs. $39,100)
- Western Carolina University students graduate with a $3,106 lower median federal student loan debt than South Dakota State University graduates. ($22,010 vs. $25,116)
- WCU graduates are paying $32 less per month on federal student loans than South Dakota State University graduates. ($227 vs. $259)
- More South Dakota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 58%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/