Western Carolina University — College Profile

About

Nestled in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a public institution renowned for its vibrant outdoor community and its participation in the NC Promise Tuition Plan, which makes high-quality education exceptionally affordable. Academically, WCU excels in high-demand fields like nursing, education, and business, while also hosting unique specialties such as its nationally recognized forensic anthropology facility. Student life is defined by an adventurous, close-knit mountain culture with immediate access to premier hiking and whitewater recreation, bolstered by spirited traditions anchored by the world-renowned "Pride of the Mountains" Marching Band.

Wikipedia:Western Carolina University (WCU) is a public university in Cullowhee, North Carolina, United States. It is part of the University of North Carolina system.

Location

Cullowhee, NC, 28723-9646 · Town campus

✈

Nearest airport from college

ATL · Atlanta

135 mi away

Open in Google Maps

Cost & aid

Cost of attendance

In-stateOut-of-state

Tuition & fees$4,630$8,630

Housing & food (on campus)$12,354$12,354

Books & supplies$800$800

Cost of attendance$19,992$28,906

Average net price$13,315Not published

Out-of-state prices

Tuition & fees$8,630

In-state: $4,630

Housing & food (on campus)$12,354

Books & supplies$800

Cost of attendance$28,906

In-state: $19,992

Average net priceNot published

In-state: $13,315

Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.wcu.edu

How it’s made up · out-of-state, 2026-27

Western Carolina University’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.

Tuition$10,598

Housing$7,233

Food$5,799

Books & supplies$406

Personal expenses$1,686

Transportation$1,885

Total published by the school$28,906

Source: www.wcu.edu · checked Sep 13, 2026

Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24

$0–30k

$8,816

$30–48k

$10,012

$48–75k

$12,605

$75–110k

$17,060

$110k+

$17,992

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Outcomes

Completion

Within 6 yrs

60%

Entered 2017–18

Within 4 yrs

44%

Back for yr 2

79%

Transferred

28%

8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students

62% graduated · 29% transferred · 1% still enrolled · 9% left or unknown

Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021

6 yrs after entry$43,085

10 yrs after entry$49,458

Debt

Median at graduation$21,868

Monthly payment$232

Middle 50% owe$7k–$26k

90th percentile$31,249

Green marks a figure above the typical Doctoral/Professional University: 58% graduate within 6 yrs.

Admissions

Getting in · applied for fall 2024

Admit rate

82%

Test policy

Test optional

Per College Scorecard

SAT average

1157

R 560–660 · M 520–610

ACT midpoint

Comp 19–25 · E 18–25 · M 17–25

SAT middle 50%: 1080–1270

40080012001600

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Essay prompts

If Western Carolina University 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 42%Women 58%

Who enrolls

Faculty ratio

16 : 1

Pell grant

35%

First-gen

33%

Family income

$46,182

Independent

21%

Veterans

Age at entry

22.0

Part-time

18%

Race & ethnicity

White

75%

Hispanic

Black

Asian

Two or more

Non-resident

AI/AN

Unknown

Varsity sports

NCAA Division I-FCS · EADA 2024-25

Baseball
Men's
Basketball
Men's · Women's
Football
Men's
Golf
Men's · Women's
Soccer
Women's
Softball
Women's
Tennis
Women's
Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
Men's · Women's
Volleyball
Women's

Programs & Earnings

Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings

Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021

After 6 yrs

$43,085

After 10 yrs

$49,458

Business Administration, Management and Operations253

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing238

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods169

Criminal Justice and Corrections156

Marketing152

Psychology, General148

Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General141

Public Administration120

Biology, General85

Finance and Financial Management Services85

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions60

Communication and Media Studies58

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas53

Chemistry51

Social Work50

Construction Engineering Technology/Technician48

Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.

Institutional

Resources

Endowment

$138M

Full-time faculty

74%

Faculty salary

$9,069/mo

Teaching spend

$9,410

per student

Federal loans

44%

Classification

Carnegie type

Doctoral/Professional University

Research activity

Research college or university

$3M research spending · 16 research doctorates a year

Undergraduate profile