| Western Carolina vs. Mercer |
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
#30 in Federal Region IV Universities #14 in North Carolina Colleges | Rankings* | #262 in National Universities #14 in Georgia Colleges |
| Public, four-years Doctoral/Research University | School Type | Private (not-for-profit), four-years Research University (high research activity) |
| Offered Degrees | ||
| Bachelor's Post-BS Certificate Master's Post-MS Certificate Doctorate (Research) Doctorate (Professional Practice) | Offered Degree | Bachelor's Post-BS Certificate Master's Post-MS Certificate Doctorate (Research) Doctorate (Professional Practice) Doctorate (Other) |
| 2024 Tuition & Fees | ||
| cheaper$4,532 North Carolina Residents $8,532 Out-of-State | Undergraduate Tuition | expensive$40,890 |
| expensive$7,778 North Carolina Residents $18,497 Out-of-State | Graduate Tuition | cheaper$17,865 |
| Less$4,444 | Average Financial Aid Amount | More$24,594 |
| Admission | ||
| Lower1,150 SAT 22 ACT | Test Scores | Higher1,270 SAT 28 ACT |
| Easier84.84% | Acceptance Rate | Tighter74.68% |
| Lower12.71% | Yield (Enrollment Rate) | Favorable15.93% |
| High School GPA High School Rank High School Record Completion of College Preparatory Program Recommendations Admission Test Scores English Proficiency Test Work experience Personal statement or essay | Application Requirements (Required or Considered) | High School GPA High School Rank High School Record Completion of College Preparatory Program Recommendations Admission Test Scores English Proficiency Test Work experience Personal statement or essay |
| Dual Credits Advanced placement (AP) Credits Credits for Life Experiences Credit for Military Training | Accepted Credits | Dual Credits Advanced placement (AP) Credits Credit for Military Training |
| Enrollment | ||
| Larger11,635 | Total Enrollment | Smaller8,889 |
| Larger9,956 | Undergraduate Student Population | Smaller4,859 |
| Smaller1,679 | Graduate Student Population | Larger4,030 |
| Larger2,858 | Online Student Population | Smaller1,814 |
| Completion & Outcomes | ||
| Lower60% | Graduate Rate | Higher73% |
| Higher28% | Transfer-out Rate | Lower19% |
| Lower71% | Retention Rate | Higher86% |
| Special Learning Opportunity | ||
| Study Abroad Teacher Certificate | Special learning Opportunity | ROTC Study Abroad Evening/Weekend College Teacher Certificate |
| ✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 4,347) | Campus Housing | ✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 3,010) |
| ✔ (Typical Annual Charge: $5,029) | Board/Meal Plan | ✔ (Typical Annual Charge: $7,118) |
| Faculties | ||
| More Students per Faculty16 to 1 | Student to Faculty Ratio | Less Students per Faculty13 to 1 |
| 787 | Number of faculties | 725 |
| Lower$76,259 | Average Faculty Salary | Higher$83,424 |
*Ranking data is from College Evaluator.