WCU Comparisons

5/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
Cullowhee, NC
4.6 10 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

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Curious how Western Carolina University stacks up against other colleges? Compare WCU to any three other US colleges using the College Simply compare tool, or compare with some of the pre-selected schools below.

Frequently Compared

These similar colleges are most often compared with Western Carolina University by students and parents using CollegeSimply.

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Compare East Carolina University and Western Carolina University

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Compare Appalachian State University and Western Carolina University

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Compare Western Carolina University and East Tennessee State University

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Compare University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Western Carolina University

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Compare University of North Carolina Asheville and Western Carolina University

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Compare University of North Carolina Wilmington and Western Carolina University

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Compare University of North Carolina at Greensboro and Western Carolina University

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Compare University of North Carolina at Pembroke and Western Carolina University

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Compare Western Carolina University and Winthrop University

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Compare Georgia Southern University and Western Carolina University

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Compare University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Western Carolina University

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Compare North Carolina State University at Raleigh and Western Carolina University

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Compare Western Carolina University and West Virginia University

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Compare Gardner Webb University and Western Carolina University

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Compare Jacksonville State University and Western Carolina University

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Compare Campbell University and Western Carolina University

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Compare Elon University and Western Carolina University

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Compare University of Central Missouri and Western Carolina University

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Compare Warren Wilson College and Western Carolina University

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Compare Elizabeth City State University and Western Carolina University

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Compare Western Carolina University and The University of Tennessee Chattanooga

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Compare Wingate University and Western Carolina University

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Compare North Carolina A & T State University and Western Carolina University

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Compare Western Carolina University and College of Charleston

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Compare with North Carolina Public Colleges

Compare with North Carolina Public Colleges for Western Carolina University
College	In-state tuition	Acceptance rate	Compare
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC	$4,364 higher in-state tuition	67% lower acceptance rate	Compare
North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC	$4,169 higher in-state tuition	40% lower acceptance rate	Compare
East Carolina University Greenville, NC	$2,731 higher in-state tuition	7% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Appalachian State University Boone, NC	$2,949 higher in-state tuition	8% higher acceptance rate	Compare
University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC	$2,609 higher in-state tuition	2% lower acceptance rate	Compare
North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro, NC	$2,183 higher in-state tuition	32% lower acceptance rate	Compare
University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington, NC	$2,647 higher in-state tuition	18% lower acceptance rate	Compare
North Carolina Central University Durham, NC	$2,069 higher in-state tuition	5% higher acceptance rate	Compare
University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NC	$3,031 higher in-state tuition	7% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Fayetteville State University Fayetteville, NC	$277 lower in-state tuition	0% higher acceptance rate	Compare
University of North Carolina Asheville Asheville, NC	$2,871 higher in-state tuition	10% higher acceptance rate	Compare
University of North Carolina at Pembroke Pembroke, NC	$982 lower in-state tuition	11% higher acceptance rate	Compare
University of North Carolina School of the Arts Winston Salem, NC	$4,847 higher in-state tuition	52% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Elizabeth City State University Elizabeth City, NC	$1,906 higher in-state tuition	18% lower acceptance rate	Compare

Compare with North Carolina Private Colleges

Compare with North Carolina Private Colleges for Western Carolina University
College	In-state tuition	Acceptance rate	Compare
Elon University Elon, NC	$42,328 higher in-state tuition	16% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Wingate University Wingate, NC	$37,006 higher in-state tuition	9% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Campbell University Buies Creek, NC	$36,970 higher in-state tuition	5% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Queens University of Charlotte Charlotte, NC	$41,216 higher in-state tuition	20% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Catawba College Salisbury, NC	$29,670 higher in-state tuition	7% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Guilford College Greensboro, NC	$36,732 higher in-state tuition	2% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Meredith College Raleigh, NC	$41,000 higher in-state tuition	8% lower acceptance rate	Compare
William Peace University Raleigh, NC	$29,546 higher in-state tuition	12% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Brevard College Brevard, NC	$27,650 higher in-state tuition	40% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Montreat College Montreat, NC	$31,820 higher in-state tuition	13% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Lees McRae College Banner Elk, NC	$28,620 higher in-state tuition	5% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Methodist University Fayetteville, NC	$36,620 higher in-state tuition	7% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Salem College Winston-Salem, NC	$29,218 higher in-state tuition	5% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Mid Atlantic Christian University Elizabeth City, NC	$12,650 higher in-state tuition	20% lower acceptance rate	Compare
High Point University High Point, NC	$40,682 higher in-state tuition	7% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Wake Forest, NC	$6,688 higher in-state tuition	7% lower acceptance rate	Compare

Compare with Regional Public Colleges

Compare with Regional Public Colleges for Western Carolina University
College	In-state tuition	Acceptance rate	Compare
University of Kentucky Lexington, KY	$8,872 higher in-state tuition	11% higher acceptance rate	Compare
James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA	$9,620 higher in-state tuition	10% lower acceptance rate	Compare
West Virginia University Morgantown, WV	$5,474 higher in-state tuition	7% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Coastal Carolina University Conway, SC	$7,010 higher in-state tuition	7% lower acceptance rate	Compare
College of Charleston Charleston, SC	$8,348 higher in-state tuition	22% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS	$5,572 higher in-state tuition	4% lower acceptance rate	Compare
University of Louisville Louisville, KY	$8,506 higher in-state tuition	3% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Ohio University Main Campus Athens, OH	$9,528 higher in-state tuition	3% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN	$5,636 higher in-state tuition	13% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Georgia College & State University Milledgeville, GA	$4,556 higher in-state tuition	4% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Jacksonville State University Jacksonville, AL	$8,264 higher in-state tuition	4% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Virginia Military Institute Lexington, VA	$16,416 higher in-state tuition	11% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Troy University Troy, AL	$5,546 higher in-state tuition	14% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Indiana University Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN	$6,132 higher in-state tuition	6% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Longwood University Farmville, VA	$11,114 higher in-state tuition	8% higher acceptance rate	Compare
The University of Tennessee Chattanooga Chattanooga, TN	$5,818 higher in-state tuition	1% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Winthrop University Rock Hill, SC	$10,048 higher in-state tuition	3% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Citadel Military College of South Carolina Charleston, SC	$7,940 higher in-state tuition	59% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Tennessee Technological University Cookeville, TN	$6,746 higher in-state tuition	6% lower acceptance rate	Compare
University of South Carolina Aiken Aiken, SC	$6,130 higher in-state tuition	3% lower acceptance rate	Compare
University of Southern Indiana Evansville, IN	$5,436 higher in-state tuition	14% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Wright State University Main Campus Dayton, OH	$6,892 higher in-state tuition	14% higher acceptance rate	Compare
The University of Tennessee Martin Martin, TN	$5,930 higher in-state tuition	6% higher acceptance rate	Compare
University of North Georgia Dahlonega, GA	$655 higher in-state tuition	14% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GA	$1,178 higher in-state tuition	13% lower acceptance rate	Compare

Compare with Regional Private Colleges

Compare with Regional Private Colleges for Western Carolina University
College	In-state tuition	Acceptance rate	Compare
Savannah College of Art and Design Savannah, GA	$37,000 higher in-state tuition	1% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Spelman College Atlanta, GA	$26,926 higher in-state tuition	57% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Mercer University Macon, GA	$37,682 higher in-state tuition	13% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Belmont University Nashville, TN	$37,910 higher in-state tuition	13% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Liberty University Lynchburg, VA	$17,835 higher in-state tuition	17% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Xavier University Cincinnati, OH	$46,010 higher in-state tuition	4% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Berry College Mount Berry, GA	$37,056 higher in-state tuition	18% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Tuskegee University Tuskegee, AL	$20,756 higher in-state tuition	33% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Samford University Birmingham, AL	$35,520 higher in-state tuition	0% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Wofford College Spartanburg, SC	$51,375 higher in-state tuition	30% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Roanoke College Salem, VA	$33,438 higher in-state tuition	1% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Anderson University Anderson, SC	$30,340 higher in-state tuition	27% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Oglethorpe University Atlanta, GA	$42,960 higher in-state tuition	6% higher acceptance rate	Compare
University of Evansville Evansville, IN	$39,542 higher in-state tuition	4% lower acceptance rate	Compare
University of Lynchburg Lynchburg, VA	$32,120 higher in-state tuition	39% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Piedmont University Demorest, GA	$27,070 higher in-state tuition	11% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Southern Virginia University Buena Vista, VA	$16,650 higher in-state tuition	14% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Point University West Point, GA	$19,370 higher in-state tuition	38% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Otterbein University Westerville, OH	$30,918 higher in-state tuition	3% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Lee University Cleveland, TN	$19,160 higher in-state tuition	11% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Hanover College Hanover, IN	$40,008 higher in-state tuition	2% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Agnes Scott College Decatur, GA	$45,974 higher in-state tuition	20% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Hampden Sydney College Hampden-Sydney, VA	$49,920 higher in-state tuition	41% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Bellarmine University Louisville, KY	$44,140 higher in-state tuition	4% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Ohio Wesleyan University Delaware, OH	$49,258 higher in-state tuition	26% lower acceptance rate	Compare
North Greenville University Tigerville, SC	$21,170 higher in-state tuition	15% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Emory & Henry University Emory, VA	$34,370 higher in-state tuition	2% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Carson Newman University Jefferson City, TN	$30,070 higher in-state tuition	8% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Earlham College Richmond, IN	$49,300 higher in-state tuition	9% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Franklin College Franklin, IN	$34,080 higher in-state tuition	12% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Toccoa Falls College Toccoa Falls, GA	$19,320 higher in-state tuition	16% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Hollins University Roanoke, VA	$38,930 higher in-state tuition	14% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Huntingdon College Montgomery, AL	$24,440 higher in-state tuition	13% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Wittenberg University Springfield, OH	$41,310 higher in-state tuition	10% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Converse University Spartanburg, SC	$20,610 higher in-state tuition	14% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Sweet Briar College Sweet Briar, VA	$21,530 higher in-state tuition	6% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Trevecca Nazarene University Nashville, TN	$26,670 higher in-state tuition	13% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Asbury University Wilmore, KY	$29,010 higher in-state tuition	19% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Wilmington College Wilmington, OH	$27,452 higher in-state tuition	10% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Randolph College Lynchburg, VA	$25,680 higher in-state tuition	12% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Lincoln Memorial University Harrogate, TN	$22,308 higher in-state tuition	19% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Thomas More University Crestview Hills, KY	$35,170 higher in-state tuition	8% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Thomas University Thomasville, GA	$7,010 higher in-state tuition	44% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Southern Wesleyan University Central, SC	$25,170 higher in-state tuition	18% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Southern Adventist University Collegedale, TN	$22,670 higher in-state tuition	17% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Berea College Berea, KY	$47,028 higher in-state tuition	63% lower acceptance rate	Compare
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Louisville, Kentucky	$6,416 higher in-state tuition	26% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Milligan University Milligan, TN	$35,820 higher in-state tuition	10% lower acceptance rate	Compare

Compare with National Colleges

Compare with National Colleges for Western Carolina University
College	In-state tuition	Acceptance rate	Compare
West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, PA	$6,145 higher in-state tuition	4% lower acceptance rate	Compare
University of Rhode Island Kingston, RI	$12,312 higher in-state tuition	10% lower acceptance rate	Compare
University of North Florida Jacksonville, FL	$1,759 higher in-state tuition	29% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Montana State University Bozeman, MT	$3,830 higher in-state tuition	0% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Portland State University Portland, OR	$7,049 higher in-state tuition	9% higher acceptance rate	Compare
University of Michigan Dearborn Dearborn, MI	$11,010 higher in-state tuition	26% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Bridgewater State University Bridgewater, MA	$7,178 higher in-state tuition	6% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud, MN	$5,615 higher in-state tuition	13% higher acceptance rate	Compare
SUNY Brockport Brockport, NY	$4,122 higher in-state tuition	11% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Framingham State University Framingham, MA	$7,290 higher in-state tuition	2% higher acceptance rate	Compare
The University of Montana Missoula, MT	$3,922 higher in-state tuition	14% higher acceptance rate	Compare
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth North Dartmouth, MA	$10,982 higher in-state tuition	9% higher acceptance rate	Compare
Worcester State University Worcester, MA	$7,156 higher in-state tuition	6% higher acceptance rate	Compare
State University of New York at Oswego Oswego, NY	$4,195 higher in-state tuition	1% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Rutgers University Newark Newark, NJ	$12,620 higher in-state tuition	11% lower acceptance rate	Compare
College of Staten Island CUNY Staten Island, NY	$2,860 higher in-state tuition	10% higher acceptance rate	Compare
University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IA	$5,306 higher in-state tuition	11% higher acceptance rate	Compare
University of Southern Maine Portland, ME	$6,654 higher in-state tuition	3% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Winona State University Winona, MN	$5,946 higher in-state tuition	7% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Eastern Connecticut State University Willimantic, CT	$9,298 higher in-state tuition	1% higher acceptance rate	Compare
State University of New York at Plattsburgh Plattsburgh, NY	$4,405 higher in-state tuition	4% lower acceptance rate	Compare
Oregon Institute of Technology Klamath Falls, OR	$8,630 higher in-state tuition	13% higher acceptance rate	Compare

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=200004.

Last updated: August 2026