WCU vs. Wofford College

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC with Wofford College in Spartanburg, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Carolina University is larger than Wofford College based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 1,817 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Carolina University is located in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting); Wofford College is in Spartanburg, SC (Small City setting).
• Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wofford College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Carolina University 16:1; Wofford College 12:1.

WCU vs. Wofford College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU or Wofford College? 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 Wofford College ($13,767 vs. $30,481).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 23.8% lower than at Wofford College ($12,354 vs. $16,220).
• Wofford College is 1,109.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $51,375 more per year; $56,005.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 549% higher at Wofford College than at Western Carolina University (about $47,375 more per year; $56,005.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wofford College than at Western Carolina University (99% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wofford College students is 601.9% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($42,067 vs. $5,993).

WCU vs. Wofford College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Wofford College (1270) is 90 points higher than at WCU (1180).
• Incoming Wofford College students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (29 vs. 22 at WCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Western Carolina University 1080/1270; Wofford College 1198/1343.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Western Carolina University 19/25; Wofford College 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WCU - Test optional; Wofford College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027; Wofford College Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Wofford College students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at WCU (3.44).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (81.8%) than Wofford College (51.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at WCU vs. 18.4% at Wofford College.

WCU vs. Wofford College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WCU and Wofford College? 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.

• Wofford College's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than Western Carolina University's (50%).
• Graduates from Wofford College earn a median of about $19,000 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,100 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $3,737 lower median loan debt than Wofford College graduates ($22,010 vs. $25,747).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wofford College graduates ($227 vs. $266).
• More Wofford College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.