College Search
Warren Wilson College

Warren Wilson College

Swannanoa, NC · Rural · 707 students
WebsiteCommon AppScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$21,249
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
42%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
69% typical
$36,260
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$58,391 typical
71%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
64% typical · not scored
Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
About

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Asheville, North Carolina, Warren Wilson College is best known for its distinctive "Triad" education model, which seamlessly integrates rigorous academics, mandatory on-campus work, and community engagement. The college's strongest academic programs leverage its unique 1,135-acre campus—which features a fully operational farm and managed forest—to offer premier undergraduate degrees in environmental studies, sustainable agriculture, creative writing, and conservation biology. The student experience is defined by a deeply progressive, collaborative, and eco-conscious campus culture where independent thinkers thrive through social justice initiatives and outdoor recreation. What truly sets Warren Wilson apart is its status as a federally recognized Work College, meaning every residential student earns a tuition work grant and graduates with a resume of practical, real-world experience gained from essential roles running the campus, from forestry and blacksmithing to farm management.

Wikipedia:Warren Wilson College (WWC) is a private liberal arts college in Swannanoa, North Carolina. It is known for its curriculum that combines academics, work, and service as every student must complete a required course of study, finish an internship, work an on-campus job, and perform community service. Warren Wilson is one of eight colleges in the Work Colleges Consortium.

Location
Swannanoa, NC, 28778-2099 · Rural campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
ATL · Atlanta
177 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$41,500
Housing & food (on campus)$13,050
Books & supplies$850
Cost of attendance$41,196
Average net price$21,249
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$41,500
Housing & food (on campus)$13,050
Books & supplies$850
Cost of attendance$41,196
Average net price$21,249
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.warren-wilson.edu
How it’s made up · 2026-27
Warren Wilson College’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$26,270
Fees$1,072
Total published by the school$41,196
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$13,566
$30–48k
$17,514
$48–75k
$21,046
$75–110k
$25,834
$110k+
$27,982
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
42%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
40%
Back for yr 2
71%
Transferred
0%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
42% graduated · 43% transferred · 15% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$27,723
10 yrs after entry$36,260
Debt
Median at graduation$25,000
Monthly payment$265
Middle 50% owe$5.5k–$23.1k
90th percentile$27,500
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
71%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1350
ACT midpoint
27
Comp 25–29

Wondering if Warren Wilson College is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search
Essay prompts

If Warren Wilson College asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 33%Women 67%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
12 : 1
Pell grant
40%
First-gen
20%
Family income
$44,436
Independent
8%
Age at entry
20.0
Part-time
0%
Race & ethnicity
White
77%
Hispanic
9%
Black
5%
Asian
1%
Two or more
4%
Non-resident
3%
AI/AN
1%
Unknown
1%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division III without football · EADA 2024-25
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Cross Country
    Men's · Women's
  • Lacrosse
    Men's · Women's
  • Other Sports
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Swimming
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Men's · Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$27,723
After 10 yrs
$36,260
Psychology, General15
Visual and Performing Arts, General14
Natural Resources Conservation and Research13
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies12
Social Work11
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology8
Business Administration, Management and Operations8
History7
Biology, General6
Outdoor Education6
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology4
International/Globalization Studies4
Human Services, General4
Sociology4
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General3
English Language and Literature, General2
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$55M
Full-time faculty
69%
Faculty salary
$6,280/mo
Teaching spend
$11,579
per student
Federal loans
53%
Classification
Carnegie type
Baccalaureate — arts & sciences
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, selective admissions

Wondering if Warren Wilson College is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search