Western Carolina University
Western Carolina University

Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC, USA
Public
4 Year

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

Average Net Price
$13,221
Calculate your net 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:
  • (amount for on-campus room, board and other expenses * # of students living on-campus.
  • + amount for off-campus (with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus with family
  • + amount for off-campus (not with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus not with family)
divided by the total # of students. Students whose living arrangements are unknown are excluded from the calculation. For some institutions the # of students by living arrangement will be known, but dollar amounts will not be known. In this case the # of students with no corresponding dollar amount will be excluded from the denominator.
$11,764
Books and Supplies
$693

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.
33%
Average Aid Per Year
$4,526
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 Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$2,561
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$2,198

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

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
0
100
85%
Acceptance Rate

Admissions Requirements

SAT
SAT is not checked
No
ACT
ACT is not checked
No
Transcript
Transcript is not checked
No
Test Optional
Item is not checked
No

Important Deadlines

Admitted Student Stats

In-State Students
80%
Out-Of-State Students
16%
28%
Submitting ACT
9%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 22
0
36
Average SAT Composite: 1124
0
1600

Admissions Resources

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: 21:1

Degrees and Majors

MAJORS
80

Faculty Overview

Campus Life

Key Campus Stats

Student Gender
Male
Female
43%
57%
Residency
In-State Students
80%
Out-Of-State Students
16%

Housing

0
100
48%
Undergrads Living on Campus
On-campus living required of freshman
Yes

Athletics

Divisional Sports Nickname
Catamounts
School Colors
purple and gold
Varsity Athletics Association
NCAA
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Southern Conference

Campus Safety

24-HR security patrol
24-HR security patrol is checked
Yes
Campus emergency phones
Campus emergency phones is checked
Yes

After Graduation

Post Grad Stats

Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$41,300
The 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.
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