Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Cullowhee, North Carolina |
| Online | wcu.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Distant Town |
| 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
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
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.
#681 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#240 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#21 in Best Colleges in North Carolina
#10 in Best Public Colleges in North Carolina
#116 in Best Value Colleges in North Carolina
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1060/1230 |
| ACT | 19/25 |
| GPA | 3.44 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Apr 1, 2023 |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $65 |
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
| 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
| 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 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Education | 20% |
| Health Professions | 16% |
| Business | 14% |
| Engineering Technology | 8% |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting | 6% |
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.