Academic Comparison between Western Carolina and Carolina

Western Carolina University and Carolina University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Western Carolina is a four-year, public school located in Cullowhee, NC and Carolina is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Winston-Salem, 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 Carolina is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Carolina has more expensive tuition & fees ($17,575) than Western Carolina ($8,630).
  • It is harder to admit to Carolina than Western Carolina.
  • Western Carolina has more students with 11,686 students while Carolina has 880 students.
  • Western Carolina has a lower number of students per faculty with 16 to 1 while Carolina's ratio is 17 to 1.
  • Western Carolina has more full-time faculties with 549 faculties while Carolina has 29 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Western Carolina Universityvs.Carolina University
Cullowhee, North CarolinaLocationWinston-Salem, North Carolina
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Doctoral / Research UniversityCarnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (smaller programs)
In-State$4,630
Out-Of-State$8,630
2025 Tuition & Fees$17,575
65%% Receiving Financial Aid98%
$6,267Average Amount of Financial Aid$12,235
81.83 %Acceptance Rates39.54 %
12.70 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)26.46 %
1,180SAT Score-
23ACT Score-
60 %Graduation Rate22 %
27 %Transfer-out Rate17 %
79 %Retention Rate56 %
11,686Student Population880
549Number of Faculties29
16 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio17 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services