WCU vs. University of Akron

Should I go to Western Carolina University or University of Akron Main Campus? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if WCU or University of Akron 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. University of Akron Main Campus comparison
Western Carolina University University of Akron Main Campus College 3 College 4
Western Carolina University University of Akron Main Campus
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Overview

WCU University of Akron
Location Cullowhee, NC Akron, OH
Setting Distant Town Midsize City
Enrollment 11,635 13,465
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #763 #838
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wcu.edu uakron.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

WCU University of Akron
Tuition (In State) $1,000 $10,097
Tuition (Out of State) $5,000 $13,170
Room & Board $11,173 $12,410
Avg Net Price $13,022 $14,667
Avg Grant Aid $4,526 $8,525
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 96%

Admission

WCU University of Akron
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 17,917 12,282
Admitted 15,201 10,178
Acceptance Rate 84.8% 82.9%Open
Enrolled % 12.7% 20.8%Open
Avg High School GPA 3.44 3.47
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/26 18/25
SAT Range 1020/1240 980/1230
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, 2025 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

WCU University of Akron
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (20%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Engineering Technology (6%)

Outcomes

WCU University of Akron
Graduation Rate 50% 38%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,100 $40,100
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 45%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,010 $25,500
Median Loan Payment $227 $263

Diversity

WCU University of Akron
% Men 41% 50%
% Women 59% 50%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 74%
% Black 6% 12%
% Hispanic 6% 2%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 3%

Students

WCU University of Akron
% In-State 80% 92%
% Out-of-State 18% 7%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Akron Main Campus is larger than than WCU based on total student enrollment (13,465 students vs. 11,635 students)

WCU vs. University of Akron Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU or University of Akron?

  • University of Akron Main Campus is 909.7% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($10,097.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 163.4% higher at University of Akron than Western Carolina University ($13,170.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than University of Akron ($13,022 vs. $14,667)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 11.1% lower than costs at University of Akron Main Campus ($11,173 vs. $12,410)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Carolina University than University of Akron Main Campus (99% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Akron Main Campus students is 88.4% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($8,525 vs. $4,526)

WCU vs. University of Akron Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Akron Main Campus (1049) is 17 points higher than at WCU (1032)
  • Incoming University of Akron students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at WCU (22)
  • Accepted freshman University of Akron students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at WCU (3.44)
  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than University of Akron (82.9%)

WCU vs. University of Akron Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WCU or University of Akron? 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 University of Akron and WCU.

  • The graduation rate at WCU is higher than University of Akron Main Campus (50% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from University of Akron Main Campus earn on average $1,000 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($40,100 vs. $39,100)
  • Western Carolina University students graduate with a $3,490 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Akron graduates. ($22,010 vs. $25,500)
  • WCU graduates are paying $36 less per month on federal student loans than University of Akron graduates. ($227 vs. $263)
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Akron students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 45%)

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