WCU vs. Wright State

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC with Wright State University Main Campus in Dayton, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Carolina University is larger than Wright State based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 10,603 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Carolina University is located in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting); Wright State University Main Campus is in Dayton, OH (Large Suburban setting).
• Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wright State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Carolina University 16:1; Wright State University Main Campus 16:1.

WCU vs. Wright State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU or Wright State? 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 Wright State ($13,767 vs. $15,254).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wright State University Main Campus are 8.9% lower than at Western Carolina University ($11,250 vs. $12,354).
• Wright State University Main Campus is 148.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $6,892 more per year; $11,522.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 145.9% higher at Wright State than at Western Carolina University (about $12,592 more per year; $21,222.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wright State University Main Campus than at Western Carolina University (92% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wright State University Main Campus students is 49.2% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($8,942 vs. $5,993).

WCU vs. Wright State Admissions comparison

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

• Wright State University Main Campus reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Carolina University (1180) is 110 points higher than at Wright State (1070).
• Incoming WCU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Wright State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Carolina University 1080/1270; Wright State University Main Campus 913/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Carolina University 19/25; Wright State University Main Campus 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WCU - Test optional; Wright State - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027; Wright State Aug 23, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at Wright State (3.41).
• Wright State has a higher acceptance rate (96.3%) than WCU (81.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at WCU vs. 20.4% at Wright State.

WCU vs. Wright State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WCU and Wright State? 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).

• Western Carolina University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Wright State University Main Campus's (40%).
• Graduates from Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,400 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $2,990 lower median loan debt than Wright State graduates ($22,010 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wright State graduates ($227 vs. $258).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wright State students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 51%)

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.