They are both NC public universities as is UNC-C, UNC-W, UNC-G, East Carolina, etc…

ASU is ranked by USNews in the category Universities – Master’s (south) and they are #10 in that category.

WCU is ranked by USNews in the category Universities – Master’s (south) and they are #41 in that category.

Elon is in the same category and in NC and is ranked #2. UNC-W is #14, Queens in Charlotte is #23.

ASU has about twice as many students as WCU. The costs are about the same. WCU costs a little more. They are both deep in the NC mountains, ASU may be a little deeper. About the same percentage live on campus at each.

ASU is the NCAA-IAA National Champion in football. I only know this because they stomped my alma mater on the way.

USNWR considers ASU to be significantly “better” than WCU. Keep in mind though that no college is perfect for every student and not every department in every college is equal. WCU may well be the best option for one person while ASU is the best option for the other.

In terms of shear reputation around the Carolinas, ASU has WCU beat by several yards but UNC-Chapel Hill, Wake Forest, and Duke easily beat them both.

I recall from my days in the public schools that ASU produces a lot of band directors as does East Carolina. This probably because they used to be known as “State Teacher’s College”.

To those who say reputation doesn’t matter etc… ask anyone you know this question; ‘you have two job applicants who are equal. One went to Harvard and the other to Western Carolina U. (or your favorite state U). Who gets the job? There’s your proof — not fair but it is reality.