WCU vs. UT Martin

Comparable Facts

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

Western Carolina University is larger than UT Martin based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 7,499 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

WCU vs. UT Martin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU or UT Martin? 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 The University of Tennessee Martin than WCU ($11,955 vs. $13,767).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Martin are 38.9% lower than at Western Carolina University ($7,544 vs. $12,354).
• The University of Tennessee Martin is 128.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $5,930 more per year; $10,560.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 92.4% higher at UT Martin than at Western Carolina University (about $7,970 more per year; $16,600.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Martin than at Western Carolina University (98% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee Martin students is 81.2% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($10,861 vs. $5,993).

WCU vs. UT Martin Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Carolina University (1180) is 90 points higher than at UT Martin (1090).
• Incoming WCU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at UT Martin (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Carolina University 1080/1270; The University of Tennessee Martin 970/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Carolina University 19/25; The University of Tennessee Martin 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WCU - Test optional; UT Martin - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UT Martin students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at WCU (3.44).
• UT Martin has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than WCU (81.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at WCU vs. 22.8% at UT Martin.

WCU vs. UT Martin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WCU and UT Martin? 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 The University of Tennessee Martin's (48%).
• Graduates of Western Carolina University and UT Martin have equivalent median earnings about ten years after starting college ($39,100 vs. $39,100), per the federal College Scorecard cohort (typically among students working and not enrolled).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $1,490 lower median loan debt than UT Martin graduates ($22,010 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UT Martin graduates ($227 vs. $242).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UT Martin students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 54%)

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.