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#10 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

WCU Admission Requirements

Cullowhee, North Carolina

 10 Reviews

Chances of getting into Western Carolina University

Acceptance Rate

Admitted 
79%
Admission Difficulty for Western Carolina University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Moderate 
Applicant Competition Very Low 
How hard is it to get into WCU and can I get accepted?

The acceptance rate at WCU is 79%.  It ranks #36 in North Carolina for lowest rate of acceptance. Western Carolina University is an easy school to get into with a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission requirements. Last year, 9,775 out of 12,308 applicants were admitted.

The school has moderate admission requirements, generally admitting students who can score in the top 52 percent on standardized admission tests. Western Carolina University typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.44. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 18% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

The WCU application fee is $65 and applications are due by Apr 1.

Test Optional

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Western Carolina University. If you submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 12% of students submitted SAT scores and 43% submitted ACT scores for admission for the 2021/2022 academic year..

WCU SAT Scores

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 
1060-1230
Applicants Submitting SAT 
12%
SAT Scores for Western Carolina University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
SAT Reading 25th 540
SAT Math 25th 520
SAT Composite 25th 1060
SAT Scores for Western Carolina University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
SAT Reading 75th 620
SAT Math 75th 610
SAT Composite 75th 1230
Average SAT Score 1150

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for students to be admitted to Western Carolina University?

Western Carolina University is a test optional school meaning applicants are not required to submit SAT scores with their application. The position on SAT scores from the school is "considered but not required".

Students who get into Western Carolina University score in the top 49 percent of all SAT test takers.. The SAT composite score range for the middle 50% of students is 1060-1230.

Find other colleges with similar SAT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Estimated Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

Western Carolina University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1230 and Above Good >88%
1145 to 1230 Avg + 79%-88%
1060 to 1145 Avg - 66%-79%
975 to 1060 Reach 51%-66%
Less than 975 Low <51%
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Connect with WCU

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WCU ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 
19-25 
Applicants Submitting ACT 
43%
ACT Scores for Western Carolina University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
ACT Reading 25th 17
ACT Math 25th 17
ACT Composite 25th 19
ACT Scores for Western Carolina University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
ACT Reading 75th 24
ACT Math 75th 24
ACT Composite 75th 25
Average ACT Score 22

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for prospective students to get into WCU?

Western Carolina University is test optional. Students are not required to submit ACT scores with their application. The policy on ACT scores is "considered but not required".

WCU regularly accepts students who score 19 and above on the ACT. These students typically score in the top 56 percent nationally. The ACT composite score range for the middle 50% of students is 19-25.

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Estimated Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Western Carolina University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
25 and Above Good >88%
22 to 25 Avg + 79%-88%
19 to 22 Avg - 66%-79%
16 to 19 Reach 51%-66%
Less than 16 Low <51%
Calculate My Chances 

WCU GPA

Estimated GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 
3.44
Typical High School Grades 
B+

What GPA do you need to get into Western Carolina University?

Applicants require above average high school grades to get into WCU. The average high school GPA of the admitted freshman class at Western Carolina University was 3.44 on the 4.0 scale indicating that primarily B+ students are accepted and ultimately attend. The school ranks #22 in North Carolina for highest average GPA. If your high school grades are above the average 3.44 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as WCU accepts 79% of all applicants.

 What do these ratings mean?

Explore more colleges with similar GPA requirements

High School GPA's for admitted Western Carolina University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 7.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 23.0% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 21.0% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 18.0% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 15.0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 15.0% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 1.0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

High School Class Rank

74% of Western Carolina University freshman were in the top half of their high school graduating class.

High School Class Rank for admitted Western Carolina University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 16%
Top 25% of class 39%
Top 50% of class 74%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Western Carolina University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 7,594 4,714 12,308
Accepted 6,061 3,714 9,775
Acceptance Rate 80% 79% 79%
Enrolled 959 770 1,729
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 16% 21% 18%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Fall 2023 Application Deadline

Applications are Due
Apr 1, 2023
Days left to Apply
12

Applicants have 12 days left until the Fall 2023 term applications are due on Apr 1, 2023.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Western Carolina University is $65.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Western Carolina University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Western Carolina University Application Requirements
Test Scores Considered but not required
High School GPA Required
High School Class Rank Recommended
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required
Recommendations Considered but not required
Demonstration of Competencies Neither required nor recommended

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Western Carolina University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes
Other Colleges to Consider 

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

FAQs

Does Western Carolina University prefer SAT or ACT?

12% of students submit their SAT scores to WCU. 43% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.

What is my chance of getting into Western Carolina University?

79% of those who apply are granted admission to WCU. Admission competition is and the college has moderate admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.

What SAT score is required for Western Carolina University?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 1060 and 1230. 12% of students submit SAT scores when applying. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.

What ACT score is required for Western Carolina University?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 19 and 25. 43% of students submit ACT scores when applying. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.