WCU vs. Union University

Should I go to Western Carolina University or Union University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if WCU or Union University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Western Carolina University vs. Union University comparison
Western Carolina University Union University College 3 College 4
Western Carolina University Union University
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Overview

 WCU Union University
Location Cullowhee, NC Jackson, TN
Setting Distant Town Small City
Enrollment 11,628 2,674
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #742 #173
Religious Affiliation - Southern Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wcu.edu uu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 WCU Union University
Tuition (In State) $1,000 $37,000
Tuition (Out of State) $5,000 $37,000
Room & Board $11,764 $12,166
Avg Net Price $12,252 $27,191
Avg Grant Aid $5,442 $28,671
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

 WCU Union University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 18,183 3,012
Admitted 15,758 1,421
Acceptance Rate 86.7% 47.2%
Enrolled % 13.3% 22.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.44 3.8
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Average Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/26 22/29
SAT Range 1050/1260 1030/1340
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Mar 1, 2026

Academics

 WCU Union University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 8:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (20%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Health Professions (23%)
  • General Studies (19%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Human Services (6%)
  • Business (5%)

Outcomes

 WCU Union University
Graduation Rate 50% 61%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,100 $48,200
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 66%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,010 $24,840
Median Loan Payment $227 $256

Diversity

 WCU Union University
% Men 4% 8%
% Women 10% 21%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 70%
% Black 6% 19%
% Hispanic 6% 2%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 4%

Students

 WCU Union University
% In-State 78% 71%
% Out-of-State 19% 28%

Campus

 WCU Union University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No Yes
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Western Carolina University is larger than than Union University based on total student enrollment (11,628 students vs. 2,674 students)

WCU vs. Union University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU or Union University?

  • Union University is 3,600% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($37,000.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 640% higher at Union University than Western Carolina University ($37,000.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than Union University ($12,252 vs. $27,191)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 3.4% lower than costs at Union University ($11,764 vs. $12,166)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Union University than Western Carolina University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Union University students is 426.8% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($28,671 vs. $5,442)

WCU vs. Union University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WCU or Union University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Union University or WCU .

  • The average SAT score at Union University (1163) is 131 points higher than at WCU (1032)
  • Incoming Union University students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at WCU (22)
  • Accepted freshman Union University students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at WCU (3.44)
  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (86.7%) than Union University (47.2%)

WCU vs. Union University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WCU or Union University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Union University and WCU.

  • The graduation rate at Union University is higher than Western Carolina University (61% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from Union University earn on average $9,100 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($48,200 vs. $39,100)
  • Western Carolina University students graduate with a $2,830 lower median federal student loan debt than Union University graduates. ($22,010 vs. $24,840)
  • WCU graduates are paying $29 less per month on federal student loans than Union University graduates. ($227 vs. $256)
  • More Union University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 58%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/