University of North Carolina at Charlotte vs Western Carolina University
University of North Carolina at Charlotte is a public university in Charlotte, NC. Western Carolina University is a public university in Cullowhee, NC. University of North Carolina at Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants and Western Carolina University about 82%, making University of North Carolina at Charlotte 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 $15,435 at University of North Carolina at Charlotte. About 68% of students graduate at University of North Carolina at Charlotte, compared with 60% at Western Carolina University. Ten years after enrolling, University of North Carolina at Charlotte alumni earn a median of about $57,289, against $49,458 for Western Carolina University.
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Charlotte, NC
Cullowhee, NC
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
24,453
10,024
Acceptance rate
80%
82%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.44–3.94
3.39–3.89
SAT (middle 50%)
1140–1330
1080–1270
ACT (middle 50%)
21–28
19–25
Test policy
Considered
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$15,435
$13,315
Full cost / yr
$23,010
$19,992
In-state tuition
$7,239
$4,630
Out-of-state tuition
$22,492
$8,630
Application fee
$75
$65
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$10,357
$8,816
$30k - $48k
$10,668
$10,012
$48k - $75k
$13,690
$12,605
$75k - $110k
$19,822
$17,060
Over $110k
$21,761
$17,992
Outcomes
Graduation rate
68%
60%
Freshman retention
85%
79%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$48,812
$43,085
Median earnings (10 yr)
$57,289
$49,458
Median debt at graduation
$21,500
$21,868
Student body
Pell grant recipients
34%
35%
First-generation students
28%
33%
International students
2%
2%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Nov 1
Nov 1
Regular decision
Feb 1
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 University of North Carolina at Charlotte or Western Carolina University harder to get into?
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte 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, University of North Carolina at Charlotte or Western Carolina University?
- Western Carolina University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $13,315 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $15,435 at University of North Carolina at Charlotte. 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 University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Western Carolina University?
- Before aid, Western Carolina University costs about $19,992 a year and University of North Carolina at Charlotte about $23,010. 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, University of North Carolina at Charlotte or Western Carolina University?
- Western Carolina University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $8,816 there, against about $10,357 at University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, University of North Carolina at Charlotte or Western Carolina University?
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte is the larger of the two, with about 24,453 undergraduates against 10,024 at Western Carolina University.
- Does University of North Carolina at Charlotte or Western Carolina University have a better graduation rate?
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte has the higher graduation rate, at about 68% against 60% at Western Carolina University.
- Do graduates of University of North Carolina at Charlotte or Western Carolina University earn more?
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte alumni earn more on average: a median of about $57,289 ten years after enrolling, against about $49,458 for Western Carolina University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Western Carolina University require SAT or ACT scores?
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them. Western Carolina University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Western Carolina University look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1140–1330 at University of North Carolina at Charlotte and 1080–1270 at Western Carolina University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
University of North Carolina at Charlotte vs University of North Carolina at Chapel HillUniversity of North Carolina at Charlotte vs North Carolina State University at RaleighUniversity of North Carolina at Charlotte vs East Carolina UniversityWestern Carolina University vs Duke UniversityWestern Carolina University vs Wake Forest UniversityWestern Carolina University vs North Carolina A & T State University
Which of these is the better fit for you?
These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.
1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school