WCU vs. Southern Utah University

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

 WCU Southern Utah University
Location Cullowhee, NC Cedar City, UT
Setting Distant Town Remote Town
Enrollment 11,635 14,330
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #763 #857
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wcu.edu suu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 WCU Southern Utah University
Tuition (In State) $1,000 $6,006
Tuition (Out of State) $5,000 $19,822
Room & Board $11,173 $8,416
Avg Net Price $13,022 $12,681
Avg Grant Aid $4,526 $9,369
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 99%

Admission

 WCU Southern Utah University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 17,917 18,570
Admitted 15,201 15,571
Acceptance Rate 84.8% 83.9%
Enrolled % 12.7% 13.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.44 3.58
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/26 20/26
SAT Range 1020/1240 1030/1240
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 Sep 8, 2024

Academics

 WCU Southern Utah University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 22:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (20%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (25%)
  • Education (17%)
  • Business (11%)
  • Health Professions (6%)
  • Psychology (5%)

Outcomes

 WCU Southern Utah University
Graduation Rate 50% 35%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,100 $43,300
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 69%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,010 $12,575
Median Loan Payment $227 $130

Diversity

 WCU Southern Utah University
% Men 41% 41%
% Women 59% 59%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 77%
% Black 6% 2%
% Hispanic 6% 6%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 4% 1%
% International 1% 6%
% Unknown Race 1% 5%

Students

 WCU Southern Utah University
% In-State 80% 72%
% Out-of-State 18% 24%

Campus

 WCU Southern Utah 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

  • Southern Utah University is larger than than WCU based on total student enrollment (14,330 students vs. 11,635 students)

WCU vs. Southern Utah University Cost Comparison

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

  • Southern Utah University is 500.6% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($6,006.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 296.4% higher at Southern Utah University than Western Carolina University ($19,822.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern Utah University than WCU ($12,681 vs. $13,022)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Utah University are 32.8% lower than costs at Western Carolina University ($8,416 vs. $11,173)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Western Carolina University as Southern Utah University (99% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Utah University students is 107% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($9,369 vs. $4,526)

WCU vs. Southern Utah University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Southern Utah University (1078) is 46 points higher than at WCU (1032)
  • Incoming Southern Utah University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at WCU (22)
  • Accepted freshman Southern Utah University students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.58) than students at WCU (3.44)
  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Southern Utah University (83.9%)

WCU vs. Southern Utah University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at WCU is higher than Southern Utah University (50% vs. 35%)
  • Graduates from Southern Utah University earn on average $4,200 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($43,300 vs. $39,100)
  • Southern Utah University students graduate with a $9,435 lower median federal student loan debt than WCU graduates. ($12,575 vs. $22,010)
  • Southern Utah University graduates are paying $97 less per month on federal student loans than WCU graduates. ($130 vs. $227)
  • More Southern Utah 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/