Western Carolina University
School Overview: Acceptance Rate, Tuition, and More
About Western Carolina University
School Type: Public
Religious Affiliation: Not applicable
Status: Non-profit
Military Friendly: Yes
Accreditation: regional
Western Carolina University is a medium-sized public university located on a rural campus in Cullowhee, North Carolina. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 10,145, and admissions are selective, with an acceptance rate of 79%. The university offers 65 bachelor's degrees, has an average graduation rate of 61%, and a student-faculty ratio of 15:1. Tuition and fees for in-state students are $1,000, while tuition and fees for out-of-state students are $5,000.
Rankings
Learn more about how this school compares to other schools with rankings by BestColleges.
- #7 Ranked in Best Online Colleges in North Carolina
Admissions Breakdown
Acceptance Rate Insight
79% of students were accepted during the 2021-2022 school year. Sometimes schools with midrange acceptance rates have higher standards of entry but are still accessible to many students who apply.
Retention Rate Insight
75% of full-time students stayed to continue their studies the following academic year. These students started in Fall 2020 and returned in Fall 2021.
Graduation Rate Insight
61% of students graduated out of all full-time, first-time students who began their studies in Fall 2015. Keep in mind many students who enroll are not typically first-time students, as most are adult learners. Therefore, the number of first-time students is traditionally low.
Application Considerations
Test scoresConsidered (not required)
High school transcriptRequired
High school rankRecommended
Letter of recommendationConsidered (not required)
High school GPARequired
Open admissionNo
Completion of college prep programRequired
Test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL)Required
Transfer Credit Policy
Dual enrollmentYes
Credit for qualified life experience*Yes
Advance placement (AP) creditsYes
*This can include previous jobs, trainings, licenses/credentials, or seminars. You may need to complete an exam or provide a portfolio to earn credit.
SAT & ACT
ACT 25th-75th Percentile19-25
SAT 25th-75th Percentile1060-1230
Learning Environment
Student Body Stats
12k
Students enrolled
54%
Online student enrollment
15:1
Student to faculty ratio
Ways Students Can Learn
Demographics
White
78%
Unknown
1%
Black
6%
Hispanic
8%
Two or more races
3%
Non-U.S. Citizen
2%
Asian
1%
American Indian/Alaska Native
1%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
0%
Socio-economic diversity
37% of students received an income-based Federal Pell Grant intended for low-income students.
Online Programs
Offers Online Programs
Yes
Online Programs
28
Total Online Enrollment
6,388
Student Location Breakout
Bar graph visual depicting student location breakout percentages.54% online, 46% on-campus.
Percent of Programs Online
76% On-campus
24% Online
Types of Online Programs Offered
CertificatesNot offered
AssociateNot offered
Bachelor's12% online
Graduate Certificate42% online
Master's37% online
Doctorate25% online
Student Charges
Tuition and Required Fees
| Student Level | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | $59,784 | $59,784 |
| Graduate | $54,672 | $54,672 |
Cost of Undergraduate Attendance
Costs based on full-time, first-time degree or certificate-seeking undergraduates for the 2021–2022 academic year.
| Costs to Consider | Price |
|---|---|
| Books and supplies | $1,200 |
| On-campus room and board | $17,758 |
| On-campus other expenses | $2,600 |
| Off-campus (not with family) room and board | Currently unavailable |
| Off-campus (not with family) other expenses | Currently unavailable |
| Off-campus (with family) other expenses | Currently unavailable |
Total Undergraduate Cost
| Total cost by category | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| On-campus | $81,342 | $81,342 |
| Off-campus without family | $60,984 | $60,984 |
| Off-campus with family | $60,984 | $60,984 |
Financial Breakdown
Students Receiving Aid
Federal Grant Aid
48%
State Grant Aid
33%
Institution Grant Aid
64%
Pell Grant
37%
Average Aid Awarded
Financial Outlook
$22k
Average student debtafter graduation
$33k
Average salary 6 years after starting school
Varsity Athletic Teams
NCAA Division I-FCS
of the overall student body is a member of an athletic team.
Participation
- All Track Combined
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Football
- Golf
- Soccer
- Softball
- Tennis
- Volleyball
Degrees Awarded by Program
Degrees given for the 2021-2022 academic year.
| # | Programs | BA | MA | Doc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Biological And Biomedical Sciences. | |||
| 2 | Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services. | |||
| 3 | Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs. | |||
| 4 | Computer And Information Sciences And Support Services. | |||
| 5 | Education. | |||
| 6 | Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | |||
| 7 | Engineering. | |||
| 8 | Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians. | |||
| 9 | English Language And Literature/Letters. | |||
| 10 | Foreign Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics. | |||
| 11 | Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences. | |||
| 12 | Health Professions And Related Programs. | |||
| 13 | History | |||
| 14 | History. | |||
| 15 | Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting And Related Protective Services. | |||
| 16 | Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities. | |||
| 17 | Mathematics And Statistics. | |||
| 18 | Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies. | |||
| 19 | Natural Resources And Conservation. | |||
| 20 | Parks, Recreation, Leisure, And Fitness Studies. | |||
| 21 | Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, And Kinesiology. | |||
| 22 | Philosophy And Religious Studies. | |||
| 23 | Physical Sciences. | |||
| 24 | Psychology. | |||
| 25 | Public Administration And Social Service Professions. | |||
| 26 | Security And Protective Services. | |||
| 27 | Social Sciences. | |||
| 28 | Visual And Performing Arts. |
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Data collected from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), [2021-2022]. In the absence of IPED data, information was collected directly from the school and is accurate as of the date of collection. Contact the school directly for the most current and complete information.