WCU vs. UTC

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is larger than WCU based on total student enrollment (11,775 students vs. 11,686 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Carolina University is located in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting); The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is in Chattanooga, TN (Midsize City setting).
• Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Carolina University 16:1; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 18:1.

WCU vs. UTC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU or UTC? 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 UTC ($13,767 vs. $15,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 2% lower than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga ($12,354 vs. $12,604).
• The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is 125.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $5,818 more per year; $10,448.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 114.5% higher at UTC than at Western Carolina University (about $9,882 more per year; $18,512.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga than at Western Carolina University (92% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee Chattanooga students is 67.5% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($10,038 vs. $5,993).

WCU vs. UTC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Western Carolina University (1180) is 70 points higher than at UTC (1110).
• Incoming UTC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (23 vs. 22 at WCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Western Carolina University 1080/1270; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 1013/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Western Carolina University 19/25; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WCU - Test optional; UTC - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027; UTC May 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UTC students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at WCU (3.44).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (81.8%) than UTC (81.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at WCU vs. 29.2% at UTC.

WCU vs. UTC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WCU and UTC? 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 The University of Tennessee Chattanooga's (39%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 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, The University of Tennessee Chattanooga graduates have a $1,218 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($20,792 vs. $22,010).
• Among borrowers, UTC graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($214 vs. $227).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UTC students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 56%)

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.