Western Carolina University Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Western Carolina University is a public research university in Cullowhee, North Carolina, with about 10,024 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 81.83% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $49,458 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $4,630
- 2024 Average Net Price: $13,315 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 81.83% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 10,024 82.3% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 60.26%
- Carnegie Classification: Doctoral/Professional Universities
- First-Generation Students: 32.9%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 1.8% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 8.9% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 73.5%
- Average SAT Score: 1157
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 11,369
- Applicants (IPEDS): 18,183
- Room & Board: $12,354 annual estimate
Western Carolina University: what the data shows
Common questions about Western Carolina University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Western Carolina University?
Western Carolina University is located in Cullowhee, NC (ZIP 28723-9646).
NCES locale classification: Town distant.
Is Western Carolina University public or private?
Western Carolina University is a Public institution.
How much does Western Carolina University cost?
Published tuition: $4,630 in-state, $8,630 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $13,315.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $8,816 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $10,012 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $12,605 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $17,060 |
| $110,001+ | $17,992 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $18,520.
How hard is it to get into Western Carolina University?
Admission rate: 81.83%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1157 and midpoint ACT 22.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Western Carolina University?
Total enrollment: 10,024 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 11,369 students.
Graduate enrollment: 1,574 students.
About 82% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Western Carolina University?
150%-time completion rate: 60.26%.
First-year retention: 79.1%.
What do graduates of Western Carolina University earn?
Median earnings: $43,085 six years after entry; $49,458 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $21,868.
34.64% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Western Carolina University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (301 completions)
- Business Administration and Management, General (297 completions)
- Psychology, General (177 completions)
- Criminal Justice/Safety Studies (158 completions)
- Public Administration (130 completions)
- Health Professions and Related Programs (121 completions)
- Social Work (116 completions)
- Marketing/Marketing Management, General (106 completions)
- Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic) (94 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (86 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Western Carolina University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 81.83%; completion rate 60.26%; median earnings $49,458 at 10 years; net price $13,315. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$4,630
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Western Carolina University was $4,630.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$13,315
2024 Value
In 2024 Western Carolina University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $13,315.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$53,260 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$13,315 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$18,520 4-Year In-State Tuition
$34,520 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$12,354 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$800 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$17,784 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$71,136 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Western Carolina University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
34.64% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
44.22% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Western Carolina University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Western Carolina University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $6,265 | $15,862 | $12,380 |
| 2014 | $6,305 | $16,698 | $13,395 |
| 2015 | $6,623 | $17,016 | $13,516 |
| 2016 | $6,737 | $17,130 | $14,433 |
| 2017 | $6,897 | $17,290 | $15,157 |
| 2018 | $3,926 | $7,926 | $15,607 |
| 2019 | $4,277 | $8,277 | $13,722 |
| 2020 | $4,285 | $8,285 | $13,924 |
| 2021 | $4,367 | $8,367 | $13,640 |
| 2022 | $4,453 | $8,453 | $13,801 |
| 2023 | $4,532 | $8,532 | $12,579 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
81.83% Acceptance Rate
18,183 Total Applicants
15,758 Students Admitted
2,103 First-Time Students Enrolled
13.35% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1157
ACT Average: 22
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.0 - 3.4
Estimated Median GPA: 3.20
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Western Carolina University reported total enrollment of about 10,024 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 42% male and 58% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (75.3%), Hispanic or Latino (8.8%), and Black or African American (6.7%). About 34.64% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 32.9% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
82.3% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Western Carolina University in 2024 is 10,024 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 11,369 students. Graduate enrollment is about 1,574 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
79.1%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 75.3%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
43.96% 100% Completion Time
60.26% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 43.96% of students graduating from Western Carolina University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 10% male / 90% female
- Business Administration and Management, General: 45% male / 55% female
- Psychology, General: 24% male / 76% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Western Carolina University.
Return on Investment
$21,868 Median Student Debt
$49,458 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
44.22% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
828.61% Return on Investment
4.4 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Western Carolina University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 82 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 301 completions
2. Business Administration and Management, General: 297 completions
3. Psychology, General: 177 completions
4. Criminal Justice/Safety Studies: 158 completions
5. Public Administration: 130 completions
6. Health Professions and Related Programs: 121 completions
7. Social Work: 116 completions
8. Marketing/Marketing Management, General: 106 completions
9. Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic): 94 completions
Most popular programs at Western Carolina University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Western Carolina University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Western Carolina University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 73.5%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $9,069
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $9,410
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Western Carolina University is a public institution located in Cullowhee, NC, classified as Doctoral/Professional Universities. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Business Administration and Management, General, Psychology, General. Enrollment is approximately 10,024 students. Student body composition includes White (75.3%), Hispanic or Latino (8.8%), Black or African American (6.7%). The admission rate is 81.83%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1157. The 150%-time completion rate is 60.26%. Approximately 34.64% of students receive Pell Grants. About 32.9% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral/Professional Universities
Location
Cullowhee, NC 28723-9646
Region: Southeast
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 82 distinct degree programs, Western Carolina University provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Western Carolina University located?
Western Carolina University is located in Cullowhee, NC.
What is Western Carolina University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Western Carolina University is 81.8% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 18,183 applicants and 15,758 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Western Carolina University cost?
Reported tuition is $4,630 and average net price is $13,315 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $12,354 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Western Carolina University?
Western Carolina University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 11,369 students, White (75.3%), Hispanic or Latino (8.8%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Western Carolina University?
About 32.9% of students at Western Carolina University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Western Carolina University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Western Carolina University reports midpoint SAT about 1157 and midpoint ACT about 22.
What do graduates of Western Carolina University earn?
Median earnings are $43,085 six years after entry and $49,458 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Western Carolina University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 60.3% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Western Carolina University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $21,868.
Is Western Carolina University public or private?
Western Carolina University is a public institution located in Cullowhee, NC.
Is Western Carolina University an HBCU?
No. Western Carolina University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Western Carolina University a tribal college?
No. Western Carolina University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- North Carolina college costs
- North Carolina colleges by ROI
- Southeast regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in North Carolina
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.