WCU vs. Tennessee Tech

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC with Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Carolina University is larger than Tennessee Tech based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 10,511 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Carolina University is located in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting); Tennessee Technological University is in Cookeville, TN (Remote Town setting).
• Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee Technological University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Carolina University 16:1; Tennessee Technological University 16:1.

WCU vs. Tennessee Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU or Tennessee Tech? 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 Tennessee Tech ($13,767 vs. $15,336).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 7.1% lower than at Tennessee Technological University ($12,354 vs. $13,302).
• Tennessee Technological University is 145.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $6,746 more per year; $11,376.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 80.5% higher at Tennessee Tech than at Western Carolina University (about $6,946 more per year; $15,576.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Tennessee Technological University than at Western Carolina University (95% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tennessee Technological University students is 74.5% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($10,458 vs. $5,993).

WCU vs. Tennessee Tech Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Carolina University (1180) is the same as at Tennessee Tech (1180).
• Incoming Tennessee Tech students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at WCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Carolina University 1080/1270; Tennessee Technological University 1048/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Carolina University 19/25; Tennessee Technological University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WCU - Test optional; Tennessee Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027; Tennessee Tech Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Tennessee Tech students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at WCU (3.44).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (81.8%) than Tennessee Tech (76.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at WCU vs. 22.8% at Tennessee Tech.

WCU vs. Tennessee Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WCU and Tennessee Tech? 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).

• The graduation rate at WCU is the same as at Tennessee Technological University (50% vs. 50%).
• Graduates from Tennessee Technological University earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,400 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tennessee Technological University graduates have a $6,010 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($16,000 vs. $22,010).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee Tech graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($165 vs. $227).
• More Tennessee Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 58%)

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.