Wingate University vs. WCU

Should I go to Wingate University or Western Carolina University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Wingate University or WCU 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.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

ECU ASU UNC Charlotte UNCW Queens University of North Carolina at Asheville ETSU Campbell University UNCG NC State UNC Chapel Hill University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Wingate University vs. Western Carolina University comparison
Wingate University Western Carolina University College 3 College 4
Wingate University Western Carolina University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 Wingate University WCU
Location Wingate, NC Cullowhee, NC
Setting Town Fringe Distant Town
Enrollment 3,396 11,635
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #825 #763
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wingate.edu wcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Wingate University WCU
Tuition (In State) $40,706 $1,000
Tuition (Out of State) $40,706 $5,000
Room & Board $10,444 $11,173
Avg Net Price $18,823 $13,022
Avg Grant Aid $36,262 $4,526
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 99%

Admission

 Wingate University WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 20,292 17,917
Admitted 17,482 15,201
Acceptance Rate 86.2% 84.8%
Enrolled % 4.7% 12.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.33 3.44
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 19/26
SAT Range 980/1180 1020/1240
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

 Wingate University WCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (10%)
  • Biology (10%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

 Wingate University WCU
Graduation Rate 53% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $52,900 $39,100
Making Student Loan Payments 64% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,500 $22,010
Median Loan Payment $274 $227

Diversity

 Wingate University WCU
% Men 38% 41%
% Women 62% 59%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 65% 79%
% Black 15% 6%
% Hispanic 4% 6%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 4%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 5% 1%

Students

 Wingate University WCU
% In-State 49% 80%
% Out-of-State 43% 18%

Campus

 Wingate University WCU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Western Carolina University is larger than than Wingate University based on total student enrollment (11,635 students vs. 3,396 students)

Wingate University vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wingate University or WCU?

  • Wingate University is 3,970.6% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($40,706.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 714.1% higher at Wingate University than Western Carolina University ($40,706.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than Wingate University ($13,022 vs. $18,823)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wingate University are 7% lower than costs at Western Carolina University ($10,444 vs. $11,173)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Carolina University than Wingate University (99% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Wingate University students is 701.2% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($36,262 vs. $4,526)

Wingate University vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Wingate University (1040) is 8 points higher than at WCU (1032)
  • Incoming Wingate University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at WCU (22)
  • Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at Wingate University (3.33)
  • Wingate University has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than WCU (84.8%)

Wingate University vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Wingate University or WCU? 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 WCU and Wingate University.

  • The graduation rate at Wingate University is higher than Western Carolina University (53% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from Wingate University earn on average $13,800 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($52,900 vs. $39,100)
  • Western Carolina University students graduate with a $4,490 lower median federal student loan debt than Wingate University graduates. ($22,010 vs. $26,500)
  • WCU graduates are paying $47 less per month on federal student loans than Wingate University graduates. ($227 vs. $274)
  • More Wingate University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 58%)

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