Wake Forest University vs Western Carolina University
Wake Forest University is a private university in Winston-Salem, NC. Western Carolina University is a public university in Cullowhee, NC. Wake Forest University admits about 22% of applicants and Western Carolina University about 82%, making Wake Forest 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 $28,719 at Wake Forest University. About 90% of students graduate at Wake Forest University, compared with 60% at Western Carolina University. Ten years after enrolling, Wake Forest University alumni earn a median of about $78,158, against $49,458 for Western Carolina University.
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
Winston-Salem, NC
Cullowhee, NC
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
5,485
10,024
Acceptance rate
22%
82%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.52–4
3.39–3.89
SAT (middle 50%)
1410–1520
1080–1270
ACT (middle 50%)
32–34
19–25
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$28,719
$13,315
Full cost / yr
$87,499
$19,992
In-state tuition
$67,642
$4,630
Out-of-state tuition
$67,642
$8,630
Application fee
$85
$65
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$6,525
$8,816
$30k - $48k
$6,331
$10,012
$48k - $75k
$7,647
$12,605
$75k - $110k
$12,771
$17,060
Over $110k
$58,081
$17,992
Outcomes
Graduation rate
90%
60%
Freshman retention
93%
79%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$67,722
$43,085
Median earnings (10 yr)
$78,158
$49,458
Median debt at graduation
$21,500
$21,868
Student body
Pell grant recipients
10%
35%
First-generation students
12%
33%
International students
6%
2%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 15
Not reported
Early action
Nov 15
Nov 1
Regular decision
Jan 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 Wake Forest University or Western Carolina University harder to get into?
- Wake Forest University is harder to get into. It admits about 22% 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, Wake Forest 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 $28,719 at Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest University and Western Carolina University?
- Before aid, Western Carolina University costs about $19,992 a year and Wake Forest University about $87,499. 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, Wake Forest University or Western Carolina University?
- Wake Forest University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $6,525 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, Wake Forest University or Western Carolina University?
- Western Carolina University is the larger of the two, with about 10,024 undergraduates against 5,485 at Wake Forest University.
- Does Wake Forest University or Western Carolina University have a better graduation rate?
- Wake Forest University has the higher graduation rate, at about 90% against 60% at Western Carolina University.
- Do graduates of Wake Forest University or Western Carolina University earn more?
- Wake Forest University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $78,158 ten years after enrolling, against about $49,458 for Western Carolina University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Wake Forest University and Western Carolina University require SAT or ACT scores?
- Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest University and Western Carolina University look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1410–1520 at Wake Forest University and 1080–1270 at Western Carolina University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
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