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#10 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, North Carolina

 10 Reviews

Overview

Enrollment

11,877
Western Carolina University overview
Location Cullowhee, North Carolina
Online wcu.edu
School Type Public 4 Year
Setting Distant Town
Western Carolina University overview
Size Mid-size
Status Non-profit
On Campus Housing Yes
Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

Located in Cullowhee, North Carolina, Western Carolina University is a mid-size four year public college offering both undergrad and graduate programs. In the most recent statistical year 12,308 prospective students applied, and 9,775 were granted admission.  Of those admitted 1,729 enrolled in the school.  9,165 students are enrolled on a full time basis, and 2,712 attend part time. In-state tuition for 2021/2022, excluding room and board, is $1,000 plus fees of $3,367. WCU is ranked 681 nationally in the CollegeSimply.com 2023 U.S. Colleges Ranking.

Ratings

5/10

Overall

6/10

Academics

4/10

Resources

5/10

Outcomes

3/10

Value

WCU is rated within the lower 44% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 5 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated

Rankings

Rankings for Western Carolina University within the 2023 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.

View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.

Getting In

Admission Standards

Moderate
Western Carolina University overview
SAT 1060/1230
ACT 19/25
GPA 3.44

Applications Accepted

79.4% 
Western Carolina University overview
Applications Due Apr 1, 2023
Applicant Competition Very Low
Application Fee $65

Explore admissions requirements

Connect with WCU

Engage with counselors on a personal level to demonstrate your interest in their school and get answers to all of your admissions-related questions.

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Annual Cost to Attend

North Carolina Resident Tuition

$1,000
In State Costs for Western Carolina University
Fee Cost
Books and Supplies$621
Other Fees$3,367
Room and Board $11,097
Budget for Other Expenses$2,933
Total One Year Cost$19,018

Out of State Resident Tuition

$5,000
Out of State Costs for Western Carolina University
Fee Cost
Books and Supplies$621
Other Fees$3,367
Room and Board $11,097
Budget for Other Expenses$2,933
Total One Year Cost$23,018

Tuition and financial aid details

Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$39,100 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

50% within 6 years

Explore Post Graduation Outcomes

Popular Areas of Study

Popular subjects studied by Western Carolina University students
Subject Percent of Class
Education 20%
Health Professions 16%
Business 14%
Engineering Technology 8%
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting 6%

View All 65 Majors

Other Colleges to Consider 

Students considering WCU are frequently interested in these similar colleges.

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=200004 IPEDS survey data for Western Carolina University.

Current students may use the Western Carolina University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.