Academic Comparison between Western Carolina and Meredith

Western Carolina University and Meredith College are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Western Carolina is a four-year, public school located in Cullowhee, NC and Meredith is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Raleigh, NC.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Western Carolina is a public and Meredith is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Meredith has more expensive tuition & fees ($45,630) than Western Carolina ($8,630).
  • It is harder to admit to Meredith than Western Carolina.
  • Meredith has a higher submitted SAT score (1,180) than Western Carolina (1,180).
  • Meredith has higher submitted ACT score (23) than Western Carolina (23).
  • Western Carolina has more students with 11,686 students while Meredith has 1,465 students.
  • Meredith has a lower number of students per faculty with 10 to 1 while Western Carolina's ratio is 16 to 1.
  • Western Carolina has more full-time faculties with 549 faculties while Meredith has 118 full-time faculties.
Which school is more in your mind and would you like to go to?
Western Carolina Meredith
Vote to see the other's choices.

Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Western Carolina Universityvs.Meredith College
Cullowhee, North CarolinaLocationRaleigh, North Carolina
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Doctoral / Research UniversityCarnegie ClassificationBaccalaureate College - Arts & Sciences
In-State$4,630
Out-Of-State$8,630
2025 Tuition & Fees$45,630
65%% Receiving Financial Aid96%
$6,267Average Amount of Financial Aid$33,316
81.83 %Acceptance Rates74.18 %
12.70 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)18.49 %
1,180SAT Score1,185
23ACT Score25
60 %Graduation Rate70 %
27 %Transfer-out Rate23 %
79 %Retention Rate79 %
11,686Student Population1,465
549Number of Faculties118
16 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio10 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services