WCU vs. Southern Oregon University

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

WCU Southern Oregon University
Location Cullowhee, NC Ashland, OR
Setting Distant Town Midsize Suburban
Enrollment 11,635 5,204
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #763 #895
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wcu.edu sou.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

WCU Southern Oregon University
Tuition (In State) $1,000 $9,405
Tuition (Out of State) $5,000 $27,765
Room & Board $11,173 $15,819
Avg Net Price $13,022 $17,976
Avg Grant Aid $4,526 $7,011
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 77%

Admission

WCU Southern Oregon University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 17,917 2,126
Admitted 15,201 1,870
Acceptance Rate 84.8% 88%
Enrolled % 12.7% 30.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.44 3.34
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/26 18/25
SAT Range 1020/1240 980/1230
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Mar 1, 2025

Academics

WCU Southern Oregon University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 23:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (20%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)

Outcomes

WCU Southern Oregon University
Graduation Rate 50% 33%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,100 $41,200
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 52%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,010 $23,491
Median Loan Payment $227 $242

Diversity

WCU Southern Oregon University
% Men 41% 36%
% Women 59% 64%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 79% 60%
% Black 6% 3%
% Hispanic 6% 11%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 4% 10%
% International 1% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 10%

Students

WCU Southern Oregon University
% In-State 80% 58%
% Out-of-State 18% 35%

Campus

WCU Southern Oregon 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

  • Western Carolina University is larger than than Southern Oregon University based on total student enrollment (11,635 students vs. 5,204 students)

WCU vs. Southern Oregon University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU or Southern Oregon University?

  • Southern Oregon University is 840.5% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($9,405.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 455.3% higher at Southern Oregon University than Western Carolina University ($27,765.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than Southern Oregon University ($13,022 vs. $17,976)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 41.6% lower than costs at Southern Oregon University ($11,173 vs. $15,819)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Carolina University than Southern Oregon University (99% vs. 77%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Oregon University students is 54.9% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($7,011 vs. $4,526)

WCU vs. Southern Oregon University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Carolina University (1032) is 3 points higher than at Southern Oregon University (1029)
  • Incoming Southern Oregon University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at WCU (22)
  • Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at Southern Oregon University (3.34)
  • Southern Oregon University has a higher acceptance rate (88%) than WCU (84.8%)

WCU vs. Southern Oregon University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WCU or Southern Oregon 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 Southern Oregon University and WCU.

  • The graduation rate at WCU is higher than Southern Oregon University (50% vs. 33%)
  • Graduates from Southern Oregon University earn on average $2,100 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($41,200 vs. $39,100)
  • Western Carolina University students graduate with a $1,481 lower median federal student loan debt than Southern Oregon University graduates. ($22,010 vs. $23,491)
  • WCU graduates are paying $15 less per month on federal student loans than Southern Oregon University graduates. ($227 vs. $242)
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Oregon University students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 52%)

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