WCU vs. UNG

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC with University of North Georgia in Dahlonega, GA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of North Georgia is larger than WCU based on total student enrollment (19,291 students vs. 11,686 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Carolina University is located in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting); University of North Georgia is in Dahlonega, GA (Distant Town setting).
• Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Georgia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Carolina University 16:1; University of North Georgia 19:1.

WCU vs. UNG Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU or UNG? 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 University of North Georgia than WCU ($11,157 vs. $13,767).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 3.3% lower than at University of North Georgia ($12,354 vs. $12,770).
• University of North Georgia is 14.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $655 more per year; $5,285.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 91.2% higher at UNG than at Western Carolina University (about $7,873 more per year; $16,503.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Georgia than at Western Carolina University (87% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Georgia students is 20.6% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($7,226 vs. $5,993).

WCU vs. UNG Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Carolina University (1180) is 80 points higher than at UNG (1100).
• Incoming WCU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at UNG (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Carolina University 1080/1270; University of North Georgia 980/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Carolina University 19/25; University of North Georgia 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WCU - Test optional; UNG - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027; UNG Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNG students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at WCU (3.44).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (81.8%) than UNG (67.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at WCU vs. 47.9% at UNG.

WCU vs. UNG Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WCU and UNG? 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).

• Graduates from University of North Georgia earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,100 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Georgia graduates have a $5,510 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($16,500 vs. $22,010).
• Among borrowers, UNG graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($170 vs. $227).
• More UNG graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.