Overview
Situated near the Great Smoky Mountains, Western Carolina University is a public school in the University of North Carolina system with three campus locations. WCU features six colleges granting bachelor’s degrees encompassing over 120 majors, minors, and concentrations. The university is also home to the Forensic Research Facility, the second institute of its kind in the nation. Throughout the school year, WCU schedules a number of annual all-campus events including Valley Ballyhoo and a 12 hour Dance Marathon.
Acceptance Rate:
85%
Average Net Price:
$13,221
Campus Setting:
Suburb or town
Average GPA
3.4
Average ACT Composite
22
Average SAT Composite
1124
Virtual Tour
Tuition, Cost & Aid
Affordability & Cost
Tuition
| In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution. | $4,532 |
| Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school. | $8,532 |
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
| $11,764 |
| Books and Supplies | $693 |
Average Net Price By Family Income
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]
Aid & Grants
0
100
68%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution. Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
33%
Average Aid Per Year
$4,526
33%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$2,561
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$2,198
Students receiving state aid Students receiving federal aid
31%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$1896
99%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$2,561
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$34,734,224
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$6,042,729
Student Loans
Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
54%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$6,250
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$15,750
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$214
Students receiving federal loans
53%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$4,798
Average Other Loans Per Year
$9,905
Admissions
Key Admissions Stats
Institution Type
Public
- Not for Profit
- Coed
Need Aware
This school may consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission
Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Suburb or town
17917
Students Applied
68%
Transfer Acceptance Rate
1056
Transfer Students Admitted
Admissions Requirements
SAT
No
ACT
No
Transcript
No
Test Optional
No
SAT Subject Tests
Yes
AP Course Credit
Yes
Dual Enrollment
Yes
Important Deadlines
| Application Type | Application Deadline | Reply Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Early Action Acceptance is not binding, but student will receive admissions decision earlier. | November 1 | |
| Fall Regular Decision | February 1 | |
| Spring Regular Decision | November 1 |
Application Fee
$65
Fee waivers availableApplications Accepted
Admitted Student Stats
28%
Submitting ACT
9%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 22
Average SAT Composite: 1124
SAT Percentiles
Math
Reading
3.4
Average GPA
Students Enrolled By GPA
Students Enrolled By Class Rank
Students Enrolled By Household Income
Admissions Resources
For International Student Services: visit page
For Students with Disabilities: visit page
For Veteran Services: visit page
Academics
Key Academic Stats
Highest Degree Offered
Doctorate
Total Number of Students
11,635
Total Number of Undergrads
9,956
0
100
43%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
64%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
16:1
US National: 21:1Non Traditional Learning
- Online Classes
- Online Undergrad Degrees
- Summer Sessions
- Combined Institution Double Degree Programs
- Some Programs Requires Co-Op/Internship
Learning Options
- Study Abroad
- Honors Program
- Teacher Certification Offered
Classroom Sizes
Degrees and Majors
MAJORS
80
Faculty Overview
0
100
67%
Faculty With Terminal Degree US National: 36%
Gender
Ethnicity
Campus Life
Key Campus Stats
Student Gender
Residency
Size of Town
Suburb or town
US States Represented
39
Countries Represented
40
Ethnicity
Percent of First Generation Students
33%
Student Organizations
165
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups
Yes
On Campus Women's Center
Yes
Cultural Student Resource Groups
Yes
Housing
0
100
48%
Undergrads Living on Campus
On-campus living required of freshman
Yes
Disability Housing Available
Yes
0
100
99%
Freshman Living on Campus
Athletics
Divisional Sports Nickname
Catamounts
School Colors
purple and gold
Varsity Athletics Association
NCAA
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Southern Conference
Total Male Athletes
284
Total Female Athletes
203
Intramural Sports
12
Sports Club
32
Sports Team (Men)
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Football
- Golf
- Track and Field
Sports Team (Women)
- Basketball
- Golf
- Soccer
- Softball
- Tennis
- Track and Field
- Volleyball
Western Carolina University Athletics: visit page
Campus Safety
24-HR security patrol
Yes
Campus emergency phones
Yes
24-HR escort safety rides
Yes
Mobile campus emergency alert
Yes
After Graduation
Post Grad Stats
Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$41,300
Top 5 Cities
Asheville
Charlotte
Raleigh
Greensboro
Hickory
Top 5 Employers
Western Carolina University
Mission Health
Wells Fargo
Carolinas HealthCare System
Bank of America
Top 5 Sectors
Education
Operations
Business Development
Sales
Healthcare Services
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$15,750
Loan Default Rate
7%
National: 8%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$214
REVIEWS
Read What Students Are SayingThe class size average is about 30 students which is good for student-professor relationships. You are able to get to know your professor in a setting not much different from high school. Professors strive to make time for your questions and want to see you succeed.
Hannah from Clemmons, NC
The classes are small enough that the teachers give you the attention you need and make themselves available for you if you need extra help.
Western also has great departments for you to choose from. Western has a special department for Entrepreneurship, which I am in. The classes there will help me one day have and run my own bookstore.
Western also has great departments for you to choose from. Western has a special department for Entrepreneurship, which I am in. The classes there will help me one day have and run my own bookstore.
Krysta from Kernersville, NC
If you are looking for a superb education, a beautiful campus, and a phenomenal college experience at a competitive price, Western Carolina University is the perfect college for you. Smack in the middle of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Western Carolina has some the best scenery around and offers some of the nation's highest-ranked academic programs. Home to less than 10,000 students, class sizes are relatively small and tuition is extremely affordable, making Western Carolina University the best in every category.
Susan from Conover, NC
Classes are great and well put together.
James from NC
Great programs, hands-on learning. Much better then just traditional lecturing. Projects, homework, etc all reflect course material and are very helpful. Many resources available to us such as tutoring, writing workshops, and math labs.
Giselle from Cullowhee, NC
Most of my classes are really small, so that leads to a better student-teacher relationship. All of my professors this semester are very knowledgeable and cool, which makes for class being more fun.
Casey from Charlotte, NC
If you like moutnain scenery, a cheap cost, and a mildly populated college this is for you.
Panda Brah from Cullowhee, NC
Western Carolina University is a fantastic school. It offers great academics while still being a beautiful campus. It is small, and so the class sizes are even smaller than at my high school.
Krysta from Hickory, NC
The environment is amazing and not only the teachers but everyone is very helpful. Western will your home away from home and you will be proud to call yourself a Catamount. At Western, there is so much to do academically and recreationally so you will never get bored.
Samantha from Clayton, NC
Western Carolina University is an institution with well developed professors. They work with the class and also the individual student to ensure the best for your education. I have had only positive interactions with the faculty and staff of the university. I plan on attending this university until my graduation date because I feel they do their best to ensure a good education.
kanika from Charlotte, NC
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