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.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Be prepared for cold and snowy weather! Not every winter is brutal, but it can happen! Classes are very rarely cancelled due to snow, so be sure to bring your snow boots. Once class is done for the day, grab your sled and enjoy the snow mountain-style!
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
WCU's entrepreneurship and project-management programs are the highest-ranked in the nation. The criminal justice and teacher education programs have won national awards, and the emergency medical care program is the first accredited four-year program in the nation. Academics at WCU are held to very high standards and students will be challenged to step above and beyond their comfort level in order to stay on top of their education. For the exceptional student, the Honors College offers an even more rigorous--but very rewarding--academic experience.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
Freshmen are required to live on campus. This is important because it provides you with opportunities to become involved with the university and exposes you to a greater variety of people. While living in a dorm, everything on campus is within walking distance. Each of the 13 residence halls at WCU provide their own unique experience. Amenities and rules vary from building to building. Although you are allowed to move off-campus your sophomore year, many students choose to continue living on-campus.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
Students living on and off-campus can participate in WCU's different meal plans. The courtyard dining hall serves homestyle meals, and two food courts provide mall-like dining with a Chikfila, Papa John's, Panda Express and several other restaurants . The campus also has a McAlister's deli, a Starbucks, Einstein Brother's Bagels, and a Java City.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
Even if you spend the next four years of your life at WCU, you will never run out of things to do at WCU. The campus itself has a pool, movie theater, a rock-climbing wall, and intramural sports teams. Base Camp Cullowhee is a club that provides you with the opportunity to go rafting, hiking, caving, whitewater kayaking, camping, skiing, skydiving and more. The Tuckaseigee River and Bear Lake are also close by and provide even more fun. If you're not an outdoorsy person, head downtown to enjoy shopping and nightlife!
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
WCU is one of the most affordable colleges in the UNC system, with approximate cost of attendance being $7000 per semester for in-state students and $12,000 per semester for out-of-state students.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
WCU is great for students who appreciate the unique mountain culture of North Carolina and don't mind being an hour drive from any big city.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
WCU is home to 14 fraternities and 9 sororities. Greek life at WCU opens doors to great networking opportunities, scholarships and lifelong friendships.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
Western Carolina has its own University Police Department to provide law enforcement and crime prevention, active 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The emergency siren and PA system immediately alert students in the event of a campus lockdown.
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.
Be prepared for cold and snowy weather! Not every winter is brutal, but it can happen! Classes are very rarely cancelled due to snow, so be sure to bring your snow boots. Once class is done for the day, grab your sled and enjoy the snow mountain-style!
WCU's entrepreneurship and project-management programs are the highest-ranked in the nation. The criminal justice and teacher education programs have won national awards, and the emergency medical care program is the first accredited four-year program in the nation. Academics at WCU are held to very high standards and students will be challenged to step above and beyond their comfort level in order to stay on top of their education. For the exceptional student, the Honors College offers an even more rigorous--but very rewarding--academic experience.
Freshmen are required to live on campus. This is important because it provides you with opportunities to become involved with the university and exposes you to a greater variety of people. While living in a dorm, everything on campus is within walking distance. Each of the 13 residence halls at WCU provide their own unique experience. Amenities and rules vary from building to building. Although you are allowed to move off-campus your sophomore year, many students choose to continue living on-campus.
Students living on and off-campus can participate in WCU's different meal plans. The courtyard dining hall serves homestyle meals, and two food courts provide mall-like dining with a Chikfila, Papa John's, Panda Express and several other restaurants . The campus also has a McAlister's deli, a Starbucks, Einstein Brother's Bagels, and a Java City.
Even if you spend the next four years of your life at WCU, you will never run out of things to do at WCU. The campus itself has a pool, movie theater, a rock-climbing wall, and intramural sports teams. Base Camp Cullowhee is a club that provides you with the opportunity to go rafting, hiking, caving, whitewater kayaking, camping, skiing, skydiving and more. The Tuckaseigee River and Bear Lake are also close by and provide even more fun. If you're not an outdoorsy person, head downtown to enjoy shopping and nightlife!
WCU is one of the most affordable colleges in the UNC system, with approximate cost of attendance being $7000 per semester for in-state students and $12,000 per semester for out-of-state students.
WCU is great for students who appreciate the unique mountain culture of North Carolina and don't mind being an hour drive from any big city.
WCU is home to 14 fraternities and 9 sororities. Greek life at WCU opens doors to great networking opportunities, scholarships and lifelong friendships.
Western Carolina has its own University Police Department to provide law enforcement and crime prevention, active 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The emergency siren and PA system immediately alert students in the event of a campus lockdown.