WCU vs. WVU

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC with West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

West Virginia University is larger than WCU based on total student enrollment (23,643 students vs. 11,686 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Carolina University is located in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting); West Virginia University is in Morgantown, WV (Small City setting).
• Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Carolina University 16:1; West Virginia University 19:1.

WCU vs. WVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU or WVU? 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 WVU ($13,767 vs. $15,169).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 15.3% lower than at West Virginia University ($12,354 vs. $14,582).
• West Virginia University is 118.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $5,474 more per year; $10,104.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 231.5% higher at WVU than at Western Carolina University (about $19,978 more per year; $28,608.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at West Virginia University than at Western Carolina University (94% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by West Virginia University students is 106.3% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($12,363 vs. $5,993).

WCU vs. WVU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Western Carolina University (1180) is 60 points higher than at WVU (1120).
• Incoming WVU 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; West Virginia University 1010/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Western Carolina University 19/25; West Virginia University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WCU - Test optional; WVU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman WVU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at WCU (3.44).
• WVU has a higher acceptance rate (89%) than WCU (81.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at WCU vs. 24.8% at WVU.

WCU vs. WVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WCU and WVU? 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.

• West Virginia University's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than Western Carolina University's (50%).
• Graduates from West Virginia University earn a median of about $11,500 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $1,991 lower median loan debt than WVU graduates ($22,010 vs. $24,001).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WVU graduates ($227 vs. $248).
• More WVU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.