WCU vs. SWU

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC with Southern Wesleyan University in Central, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Carolina University is larger than SWU based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 980 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Carolina University is located in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting); Southern Wesleyan University is in Central, SC (Distant Town setting).
• Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Carolina University 16:1; Southern Wesleyan University 10:1.

WCU vs. SWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU or SWU? 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 SWU ($13,767 vs. $20,134).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Wesleyan University are 18% lower than at Western Carolina University ($10,126 vs. $12,354).
• Southern Wesleyan University is 543.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $25,170 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 245.3% higher at SWU than at Western Carolina University (about $21,170 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Wesleyan University than at Western Carolina University (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students is 225.3% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($19,498 vs. $5,993).

WCU vs. SWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WCU or SWU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SWU and WCU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Western Carolina University (1180) is 50 points higher than at SWU (1130).
• Incoming SWU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 22 at WCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Western Carolina University 1080/1270; Southern Wesleyan University 1040/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Western Carolina University 19/25; Southern Wesleyan University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WCU - Test optional; SWU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman SWU students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at WCU (3.44).
• SWU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than WCU (81.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at WCU vs. 33.4% at SWU.

WCU vs. SWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WCU and SWU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Western Carolina University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Southern Wesleyan University's (42%).
• Graduates from Southern Wesleyan University earn a median of about $5,700 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 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 SWU graduates ($22,010 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SWU graduates ($227 vs. $279).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SWU students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 50%)

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.