Peace College vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare William Peace University in Raleigh, NC with Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Carolina University is larger than Peace College based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 722 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• William Peace University is located in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
• William Peace University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: William Peace University 13:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Peace College vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Peace College or WCU? 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 Peace College ($13,767 vs. $24,216).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 2% lower than at William Peace University ($12,354 vs. $12,606).
• William Peace University is 638.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $29,546 more per year; $34,176.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 296% higher at Peace College than at Western Carolina University (about $25,546 more per year; $34,176.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at William Peace University than at Western Carolina University (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by William Peace University students is 315.3% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($24,889 vs. $5,993).

Peace College vs. WCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Carolina University (1180) is 30 points higher than at Peace College (1150).
• Incoming Peace College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at WCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: William Peace University 1080/1225; Western Carolina University 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: William Peace University 22/27; Western Carolina University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Peace College - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Peace College students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at WCU (3.44).
• Peace College has a higher acceptance rate (94.3%) than WCU (81.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at Peace College vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Peace College vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Peace College and WCU? 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 William Peace University's (36%).
• Graduates from Western Carolina University earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than Peace College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,100 vs. $36,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $1,990 lower median loan debt than Peace College graduates ($22,010 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Peace College graduates ($227 vs. $248).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Peace College 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.