- Both Western Carolina University and East Tennessee State University (ETSU) are public.
- Western Carolina University is located in Cullowhee, NC and ETSU is located in Johnson City, TN.
- ETSU has more expensive tuition of $13,790 than Western Carolina University ($8,532).
- Western Carolina University has tighter acceptance rate of 38.84% than ETSU (85.47%).
- Western Carolina University has higher SAT scores of 1,150 than ETSU (1,060).
- ETSU is larger with 13,483 students than Western Carolina University (11,635 students).
Western Carolina University View More Rivals | East Tennessee State University View More Rivals | |
| #24 in North Carolina | Rankings | #265 in National Universities #21 in Tennessee |
| Public, 4-years | School Type | Public, 4-years |
| Cullowhee, NC | Location | Johnson City, TN |
Western| Known as | ETSU | |
| Bachelor's Post-Bachelor Certificate Master's Post-Master Certificate Doctorate (Research) Doctorate (Professional Practice) | Offered Degrees | 2 Year Certificate Bachelor's Post-Bachelor Certificate Master's Post-Master Certificate Doctorate (Research) Doctorate (Professional Practice) |
| Doctoral/Research University | Carnegie Classification | Research University (high research activity) |
| Tuition & Fees | ||
| $4,532 North Carolina residents $8,532 out-of-state | Undergraduate | $9,950 Tennessee residents $13,790 out-of-state |
| $7,778 North Carolina residents $18,497 out-of-state | Graduate | $10,784 Tennessee residents $25,904 out-of-state |
| $4,444 | Financial Aid | $7,272 |
| Admission | ||
| $65 undergraduate $65 graduate | Application Fee | $25 undergraduate $55 graduate |
| 38.84% | Acceptance Rate | 85.47% |
| 26.53% | Yield | 29.36% |
| 1,150 SAT, 22 ACT | Test Scores | 1,060 SAT, 22 ACT |
| Student Population | ||
| 11,635 | Total Students | 13,483 |
| 9,956 | Undergraduate | 10,554 |
| 1,679 | Graduate | 2,929 |
| 2,858 | Online Enrollment | 2,026 |
| Graduation Rate & Outcomes | ||
| 60% | Graduation Rate | 55% |
| 28% | Transfer-out Rate | 23% |
| 71% | Retention Rate | 72% |
| $41,300 | Average Earning after Graduation | $40,600 |
| Special Learning Opportunities and Student Services | ||
| Online Degree/Certificate Program Offered for Both Undergraduate and Graduate | Distance Learning (Online Classes) | Online Degree/Certificate Program Offered for Both Undergraduate and Graduate |
| Study Abroad Teacher Certifiate | Special Opportunities | ROTC Study Abroad Weekend/Evening College Teacher Certifiate |
| ✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 4,347) $6,475 average annual costs | On-Campus Living | ✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 3,026) $4,832 average annual costs |
| Not offered or not Reported | Meal Plan | ✔ (99 meals per week) $4,520 average annual costs |
| Faculties and Staffs | ||
| 16 to 1 | Students to Faculty Ratio | 16 to 1 |
| 544 Full-time 243 Part-time | Number of Faculties | 773 Full-time 265 Part-time |
| 1,570 Full-time 254 Part-time | Number of Staffs | 2,259 Full-time 281 Part-time |
| $70,834 for Faculties $55,095 Part-time | Average Salary | $70,229 for Faculties $49,475 Part-time |