Western Carolina University - Admission Requirements, SAT, ACT, GPA and chance of acceptance

Your chances of getting into Western Carolina University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted

86.7%

Admission Difficulty for Western Carolina University
Measure	Difficulty
Admission Standards		Average
Applicant Competition		Very Low

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at WCU is 86.7%. Its admission rate is the 45th lowest in North Carolina.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into WCU and can you get accepted?

Western Carolina University is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 15,758 out of the 18,183 who applied were admitted.

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. 13% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into WCU?

87% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Western Carolina University you should:

Have a high school GPA of 3.44 or better
Earn B+ grades in high school
Score 1160 on the SAT
Score 23 on the ACT
Graduate in the top half of your high school class

WCU GPA

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?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into WCU are to have around a 3.44 high school GPA. You are required to have above average high school grades.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.44 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as WCU accepts 87% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at WCU is 3.44 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school. The school ranks #22 in North Carolina for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since WCU is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.4 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

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

What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

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WCU SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Western Carolina University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 9% of students submitted SAT scores and 23% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range

1050-1260

Applicants Submitting SAT

SAT Scores for Western Carolina University
SAT Test	25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile	540
Math 25th Percentile	510
Composite 25th Percentile	1050

SAT Scores for Western Carolina University
SAT Test	75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile	650
Math 75th Percentile	610
Composite 75th Percentile	1260
Average SAT Score	1160

SAT Scores you need to get in

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

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at WCU is 1160 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1050-1260. Students who get into Western Carolina University score in the top 51 percent of all SAT test takers.. WCU ranks #19 in the state of North Carolina for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1160 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. WCU regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1050 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1050, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 940, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Western Carolina University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1160 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1155, you have around a 87% chance of being admitted. A 1260 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 93% chance of getting in.

Western Carolina University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1260 and Above	Good	>93%
1155 to 1260	Avg +	87%-93%
1050 to 1155	Avg -	78%-87%
945 to 1050	Reach	65%-78%
Less than 945	Low	<65%

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WCU ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range

20-26

Applicants Submitting ACT

23%

ACT Scores for Western Carolina University
ACT Test	25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile	18
Math 25th Percentile	18
Composite 25th Percentile	20

ACT Scores for Western Carolina University
ACT Test	75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile	26
Math 75th Percentile	25
Composite 75th Percentile	26
Average ACT Score	23

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

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

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to WCU is 23, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 20 and 26. The school ranks #23 in North Carolina for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 23. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 20 and score in the score in the top 49 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 17.

23 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Western Carolina University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Western Carolina University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into WCU for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 23 score has around 87% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 93% with a 26 ACT score.

Western Carolina University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
26 and Above	Good	>93%
23 to 26	Avg +	87%-93%
20 to 23	Avg -	78%-87%
17 to 20	Reach	65%-78%
Less than 17	Low	<65%

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High School Class Rank

74% of Western Carolina University freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 39% are in the top quarter.

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

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Western Carolina University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	11,122	7,044	18,183
Accepted	9,890	5,858	15,758
Acceptance Rate	89%	83%	87%
Enrolled	1,231	871	2,103
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	12%	15%	13%

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Mar 1, 2025

Days left to Apply

None

The application deadline for Fall 2025 has passed. Applications were due on Mar 1, 2025.

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	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies	Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Western Carolina University
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	Yes

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Western Carolina University is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.44 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1160 and ACT of 23 will almost guarantee your admission.