Academic Comparison between Western Carolina and North Carolina Wesleyan

Western Carolina University and North Carolina Wesleyan University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Western Carolina is a four-year, public school located in Cullowhee, NC and North Carolina Wesleyan is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Rocky Mount, 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 North Carolina Wesleyan is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • North Carolina Wesleyan has more expensive tuition & fees ($35,586) than Western Carolina ($8,630).
  • It is harder to admit to North Carolina Wesleyan than Western Carolina.
  • Western Carolina has more students with 11,686 students while North Carolina Wesleyan has 1,419 students.
  • North Carolina Wesleyan has a lower number of students per faculty with 13 to 1 while Western Carolina's ratio is 16 to 1.
  • Western Carolina has more full-time faculties with 549 faculties while North Carolina Wesleyan has 60 full-time faculties.
Which school is more in your mind and would you like to go to?
Western Carolina North Carolina Wesleyan
Vote to see the other's choices.

Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Western Carolina Universityvs.North Carolina Wesleyan University
Cullowhee, North CarolinaLocationRocky Mount, North Carolina
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Doctoral / Research UniversityCarnegie ClassificationBaccalaureate College - Diverse Fields
In-State$4,630
Out-Of-State$8,630
2025 Tuition & Fees$35,586
65%% Receiving Financial Aid89%
$6,267Average Amount of Financial Aid$23,348
81.83 %Acceptance Rates80.23 %
12.70 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)17.53 %
1,180SAT Score-
23ACT Score-
60 %Graduation Rate42 %
27 %Transfer-out Rate35 %
79 %Retention Rate59 %
11,686Student Population1,419
549Number of Faculties60
16 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio13 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services