- Western Carolina University is a public school while Mercer University is a private school.
- Western Carolina University is located in Cullowhee, NC and Mercer University is located in Macon, GA.
- Mercer University has more expensive tuition of $40,890 than Western Carolina University ($8,532).
- Western Carolina University has tighter acceptance rate of 38.84% than Mercer University (73.26%).
- Mercer University has higher SAT scores of 1,270 than Western Carolina University (1,150).
- Western Carolina University is larger with 11,635 students than Mercer University (8,889 students).
Western Carolina University View More Rivals | Mercer University View More Rivals | |
| #24 in North Carolina | Rankings | #208 in National Universities #18 in Georgia |
| Public, 4-years | School Type | Private, 4-years |
| Cullowhee, NC | Location | Macon, GA |
Western| Known as | | |
| Bachelor's Post-Bachelor Certificate Master's Post-Master Certificate Doctorate (Research) Doctorate (Professional Practice) | Offered Degrees | Bachelor's Post-Bachelor Certificate Master's Post-Master Certificate Doctorate (Research) Doctorate (Professional Practice) Doctorate (Other) |
| Doctoral/Research University | Carnegie Classification | Research University (high research activity) |
| Tuition & Fees | ||
| $4,532 North Carolina residents $8,532 out-of-state | Undergraduate | $40,890 |
| $7,778 North Carolina residents $18,497 out-of-state | Graduate | $17,865 |
| $4,444 | Financial Aid | $24,594 |
| Admission | ||
| $65 undergraduate $65 graduate | Application Fee | $50 undergraduate $50 graduate |
| 38.84% | Acceptance Rate | 73.26% |
| 26.53% | Yield | 25.58% |
| 1,150 SAT, 22 ACT | Test Scores | 1,270 SAT, 28 ACT |
| Student Population | ||
| 11,635 | Total Students | 8,889 |
| 9,956 | Undergraduate | 4,859 |
| 1,679 | Graduate | 4,030 |
| 2,858 | Online Enrollment | 1,814 |
| Graduation Rate & Outcomes | ||
| 60% | Graduation Rate | 73% |
| 28% | Transfer-out Rate | 19% |
| 71% | Retention Rate | 86% |
| $41,300 | Average Earning after Graduation | $58,200 |
| 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: 3,010) $6,928 average annual costs |
| Not offered or not Reported | Meal Plan | Not offered or not Reported |
| Faculties and Staffs | ||
| 16 to 1 | Students to Faculty Ratio | 13 to 1 |
| 544 Full-time 243 Part-time | Number of Faculties | 437 Full-time 288 Part-time |
| 1,570 Full-time 254 Part-time | Number of Staffs | 1,578 Full-time 381 Part-time |
| $70,834 for Faculties $55,095 Part-time | Average Salary | $81,100 for Faculties $70,880 Part-time |