WCU vs. SVU

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC with Southern Virginia University in Buena Vista, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Carolina University is larger than SVU based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 936 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Carolina University is located in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting); Southern Virginia University is in Buena Vista, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Virginia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Carolina University 16:1; Southern Virginia University 14:1.

WCU vs. SVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU or SVU? 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 SVU ($13,767 vs. $24,561).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Virginia University are 19.9% lower than at Western Carolina University ($9,894 vs. $12,354).
• Southern Virginia University is 359.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $16,650 more per year; $21,280.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 146.6% higher at SVU than at Western Carolina University (about $12,650 more per year; $21,280.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Virginia University than at Western Carolina University (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Virginia University students is 67.5% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($10,041 vs. $5,993).

WCU vs. SVU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WCU or SVU? 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 SVU and WCU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Carolina University (1180) is 80 points higher than at SVU (1100).
• Incoming WCU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at SVU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Carolina University 1080/1270; Southern Virginia University 943/1253.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Carolina University 19/25; Southern Virginia University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WCU - Test optional; SVU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at SVU (3.19).
• SVU has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than WCU (81.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at WCU vs. 21.4% at SVU.

WCU vs. SVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WCU and SVU? 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).

• Western Carolina University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Southern Virginia University's (25%).
• Graduates from Southern Virginia University earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,600 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $1,644 lower median loan debt than SVU graduates ($22,010 vs. $23,654).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SVU graduates ($227 vs. $244).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SVU students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 53%)

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.