West Virginia University (WVU) vs University of North Carolina at Asheville
West Virginia University (WVU) and University of North Carolina at Asheville (UNCA) are two distinct institutions of higher learning with unique offerings and characteristics. WVU, located in Morgantown, West Virginia, is a public research university with a larger student body and a wider range of academic programs, including engineering, law, and medicine. UNCA, situated in Asheville, North Carolina, is a public liberal arts university known for its focus on sustainability, environmental studies, and the arts. While both universities offer a vibrant campus life and opportunities for student engagement, they differ in terms of acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() University of North Carolina at Asheville |
![]() West Virginia University |
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Overview |
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Location | Asheville, North Carolina | Morgantown, West Virginia |
Campus setting | City: Small | City: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 75.0% | 81.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 81.6% | 89.8% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$60
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Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$60
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SAT range | 1130 - 1330 | 1030 - 1230 |
ACT range | 22 - 29 | 21 - 27 |
Students submitting SAT score | 17.0% | 57.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 33.0% | 38.0% |
Total number of applicants | 4,550 | 17,074 |
Total number of admissions given out | 3,714 | 15,336 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 605 | 4,313 |
Yield rate | 16.3% | 28.1% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$22,331
Out of state:
$39,679
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In state:
$21,756
Out of state:
$38,100
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Average net price | $13,838 | $13,422 |
Tuition |
In state:
$4,122
Out of state:
$21,470
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In state:
$8,976
Out of state:
$25,320
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,778
Meal plan:
$4,470
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Room/dormitory:
$6,184
Meal plan:
$5,504
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
90.0%
Average amount $7,610 |
89.0%
Average amount $10,867 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
50.0%
Average amount $5,008 |
52.0%
Average amount $5,294 |
Students taking out private loans |
6.0%
Average amount $10,387 |
15.0%
Average amount $16,332 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
3,233
Men 42.5% Women 57.5% |
19,599
Men 47.9% Women 52.1% |
Graduate students | N/A |
5,875
Men 44.4% Women 55.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Very Low
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Out-of-state students | 15.8% | 55.3% |
International students | 1.1% | 5.3% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 1,575 | 6,956 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | North Carolina Florida South Carolina Virginia Georgia | West Virginia Pennsylvania Virginia Maryland Ohio |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 14:1 | 18:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 64.6% | 63.9% |
Dropout rate | 9.5% | 11.3% |
Transferred out | 25.1% | 22.5% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Visual and Performing Arts, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Health (Bachelor's Degrees)
History (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Dentistry (First Professional Degrees)
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees)
Petroleum Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
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