Worcester State University vs. WCU

Should I go to Worcester State University or Western Carolina University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Worcester State 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.

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Worcester State University vs. Western Carolina University comparison
Worcester State University Western Carolina University College 3 College 4
Worcester State University Western Carolina University
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Overview

Worcester State University WCU
Location Worcester, MA Cullowhee, NC
Setting Midsize City Distant Town
Enrollment 5,611 11,628
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #565 #742
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website worcester.edu wcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Worcester State University WCU
Tuition (In State) $970 $1,000
Tuition (Out of State) $7,050 $5,000
Room & Board $12,999 $11,764
Avg Net Price $14,307 $12,252
Avg Grant Aid $7,332 $5,442
% Receiving Grant Aid 75% 99%

Admission

Worcester State University WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,745 18,183
Admitted 4,264 15,758
Acceptance Rate 89.9% 86.7%
Enrolled % 21.3% 13.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.44
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/26
SAT Range 1008/1280 1050/1260
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 Jun 1, 2025 Mar 1, 2025

Academics

Worcester State University WCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Psychology (15%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Biology (6%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

Worcester State University WCU
Graduation Rate 47% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,200 $39,100
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,000 $22,010
Median Loan Payment $206 $227

Diversity

Worcester State University WCU
% Men 3% 4%
% Women 13% 10%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 71% 79%
% Black 8% 6%
% Hispanic 9% 6%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

Worcester State University WCU
% In-State 92% 78%
% Out-of-State 6% 19%

Campus

Worcester State 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 Worcester State University based on total student enrollment (11,628 students vs. 5,611 students)

Worcester State University vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Worcester State University or WCU?

  • Western Carolina University is 3.1% more expensive to attend than Worcester State University for in-state tuition ($1,000.00 vs. $970.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 41% higher at Worcester State University than Western Carolina University ($7,050.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than Worcester State University ($12,252 vs. $14,307)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 10.5% lower than costs at Worcester State University ($11,764 vs. $12,999)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Carolina University than Worcester State University (99% vs. 75%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Worcester State University students is 34.7% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($7,332 vs. $5,442)

Worcester State University vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Carolina University (1032) is 12 points higher than at Worcester State University (1020)
  • Incoming Worcester State University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at WCU (22)
  • Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at Worcester State University (3.3)
  • Worcester State University has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than WCU (86.7%)

Worcester State University vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Worcester State 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 Worcester State University.

  • The graduation rate at WCU is higher than Worcester State University (50% vs. 47%)
  • Graduates from Worcester State University earn on average $10,100 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($49,200 vs. $39,100)
  • Worcester State University students graduate with a $2,010 lower median federal student loan debt than WCU graduates. ($20,000 vs. $22,010)
  • Worcester State University graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than WCU graduates. ($206 vs. $227)
  • More Worcester State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 58%)

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