Duke University vs Western Carolina University
Duke University is a private university in Durham, NC. Western Carolina University is a public university in Cullowhee, NC. Duke University admits about 6% of applicants and Western Carolina University about 82%, making Duke University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $13,315 a year at Western Carolina University after aid, and about $29,612 at Duke University. About 96% of students graduate at Duke University, compared with 60% at Western Carolina University. Ten years after enrolling, Duke University alumni earn a median of about $97,800, against $49,458 for Western Carolina University.
* Reported aid for this income range averaged above the billed cost.
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is Duke University or Western Carolina University harder to get into?
- Duke University is harder to get into. It admits about 6% of applicants, compared with 82% at Western Carolina University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Duke University or Western Carolina University?
- Western Carolina University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $13,315 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $29,612 at Duke University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at Duke University and Western Carolina University?
- Before aid, Western Carolina University costs about $19,992 a year and Duke University about $87,072. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Duke University or Western Carolina University?
- Duke University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $735 there, against about $8,816 at Western Carolina University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Duke University or Western Carolina University?
- Western Carolina University is the larger of the two, with about 10,024 undergraduates against 6,442 at Duke University.
- Does Duke University or Western Carolina University have a better graduation rate?
- Duke University has the higher graduation rate, at about 96% against 60% at Western Carolina University.
- Do graduates of Duke University or Western Carolina University earn more?
- Duke University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $97,800 ten years after enrolling, against about $49,458 for Western Carolina University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Duke University and Western Carolina University require SAT or ACT scores?
- Duke University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Western Carolina University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Duke University and Western Carolina University look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1500–1570 at Duke University and 1080–1270 at Western Carolina University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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