WCU vs. Winthrop University

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

WCU Winthrop University
Location Cullowhee, NC Rock Hill, SC
Setting Distant Town Small City
Enrollment 11,635 4,712
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #763 #655
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wcu.edu winthrop.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

WCU Winthrop University
Tuition (In State) $1,000 $15,306
Tuition (Out of State) $5,000 $29,636
Room & Board $11,173 $10,488
Avg Net Price $13,022 $17,008
Avg Grant Aid $4,526 $12,961
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 97%

Admission

WCU Winthrop University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 17,917 5,099
Admitted 15,201 3,557
Acceptance Rate 84.8% 69.8%
Enrolled % 12.7% 19.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.44 4.0
Typical High School Grades B+ A/A+
Admissions Standards Average Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/26 19/26
SAT Range 1020/1240 980/1195
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

Academics

WCU Winthrop University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (20%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Business (25%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Psychology (7%)

Outcomes

WCU Winthrop University
Graduation Rate 50% 58%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,100 $39,500
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 49%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,010 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $227 $279

Diversity

WCU Winthrop University
% Men 41% 31%
% Women 59% 69%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 79% 58%
% Black 6% 30%
% Hispanic 6% 4%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

WCU Winthrop University
% In-State 80% 88%
% Out-of-State 18% 11%

Campus

WCU Winthrop University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
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 Winthrop University based on total student enrollment (11,635 students vs. 4,712 students)

WCU vs. Winthrop University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU or Winthrop University?

  • Winthrop University is 1,430.6% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($15,306.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 492.7% higher at Winthrop University than Western Carolina University ($29,636.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than Winthrop University ($13,022 vs. $17,008)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Winthrop University are 6.5% lower than costs at Western Carolina University ($10,488 vs. $11,173)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Carolina University than Winthrop University (99% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Winthrop University students is 186.4% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($12,961 vs. $4,526)

WCU vs. Winthrop University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Winthrop University (1044) is 12 points higher than at WCU (1032)
  • Incoming Winthrop University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at WCU (22)
  • Accepted freshman Winthrop University students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at WCU (3.44)
  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Winthrop University (69.8%)

WCU vs. Winthrop University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WCU or Winthrop 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 Winthrop University and WCU.

  • The graduation rate at Winthrop University is higher than Western Carolina University (58% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from Winthrop University earn on average $400 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($39,500 vs. $39,100)
  • Western Carolina University students graduate with a $4,990 lower median federal student loan debt than Winthrop University graduates. ($22,010 vs. $27,000)
  • WCU graduates are paying $52 less per month on federal student loans than Winthrop University graduates. ($227 vs. $279)
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Winthrop University students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 49%)

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