North Carolina Wesleyan University vs Western Carolina University
North Carolina Wesleyan University is a private university in Rocky Mount, NC. Western Carolina University is a public university in Cullowhee, NC. North Carolina Wesleyan University admits about 80% of applicants and Western Carolina University about 82%, making North Carolina Wesleyan 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 $17,432 at North Carolina Wesleyan University. About 60% of students graduate at Western Carolina University, compared with 41% at North Carolina Wesleyan University. Ten years after enrolling, Western Carolina University alumni earn a median of about $49,458, against $45,873 for North Carolina Wesleyan University.
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
Rocky Mount, NC
Cullowhee, NC
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
1,214
10,024
Acceptance rate
80%
82%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.27–3.77
3.39–3.89
SAT (middle 50%)
860–1120
1080–1270
ACT (middle 50%)
15–21
19–25
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$17,432
$13,315
Full cost / yr
$49,974
$19,992
In-state tuition
$35,736
$4,630
Out-of-state tuition
$35,736
$8,630
Application fee
Not reported
$65
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$16,114
$8,816
$30k - $48k
$14,020
$10,012
$48k - $75k
$16,017
$12,605
$75k - $110k
$20,403
$17,060
Over $110k
$22,379
$17,992
Outcomes
Graduation rate
41%
60%
Freshman retention
59%
79%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$38,939
$43,085
Median earnings (10 yr)
$45,873
$49,458
Median debt at graduation
$25,000
$21,868
Student body
Pell grant recipients
50%
35%
First-generation students
47%
33%
International students
14%
2%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Nov 1
Regular decision
Rolling
Feb 1
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 North Carolina Wesleyan University or Western Carolina University harder to get into?
- North Carolina Wesleyan University is harder to get into. It admits about 80% 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, North Carolina Wesleyan 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 $17,432 at North Carolina Wesleyan 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 North Carolina Wesleyan University and Western Carolina University?
- Before aid, Western Carolina University costs about $19,992 a year and North Carolina Wesleyan University about $49,974. 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, North Carolina Wesleyan University or Western Carolina University?
- Western Carolina University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $8,816 there, against about $16,114 at North Carolina Wesleyan University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, North Carolina Wesleyan University or Western Carolina University?
- Western Carolina University is the larger of the two, with about 10,024 undergraduates against 1,214 at North Carolina Wesleyan University.
- Does North Carolina Wesleyan University or Western Carolina University have a better graduation rate?
- Western Carolina University has the higher graduation rate, at about 60% against 41% at North Carolina Wesleyan University.
- Do graduates of North Carolina Wesleyan University or Western Carolina University earn more?
- Western Carolina University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $49,458 ten years after enrolling, against about $45,873 for North Carolina Wesleyan University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do North Carolina Wesleyan University and Western Carolina University require SAT or ACT scores?
- North Carolina Wesleyan 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 North Carolina Wesleyan University and Western Carolina University look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 860–1120 at North Carolina Wesleyan University and 1080–1270 at Western Carolina University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
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