Western Carolina University (Western)
Public four-year university in Cullowhee, NC that costs an average of $13,025 a year after financial aid, admits 82% of applicants and graduates 61% of full-time students.
Net price / year
$13,025
Acceptance rate
82%
Graduation rate
61%
Earnings after 10 yrs
$53,764
PublicTown (distant)10,024 undergraduates
Cost of Western
| Total cost of attendance (per year) | $21,165 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, in-state | $4,685 |
| Tuition and fees, out-of-state | $8,685 |
| Housing and food (on campus) | $12,535 |
| Books and supplies | $1,592 |
| Average net price after aid | $13,025 |
Net price by family income
| Family income | Average net price / year |
|---|---|
| $0–30,000 | $10,446 |
| $30,001–48,000 | $8,629 |
| $48,001–75,000 | $10,322 |
| $75,001–110,000 | $15,350 |
| $110,001+ | $18,389 |
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships (in-state students). Get your own estimate with Western's net price calculator ↗.
Admissions
| Acceptance rate | 82% |
|---|---|
| Average SAT | 1,157 |
| SAT reading (25th–75th percentile) | 560–660 |
| SAT math (25th–75th percentile) | 520–610 |
| ACT composite (25th–75th percentile) | 19–25 |
| Test scores | Considered but not required |
Graduation, earnings and debt
| Graduation rate | 61% |
|---|---|
| First-year retention | 79% |
| Median earnings 6 years after enrolling | $46,593 |
| Median earnings 10 years after enrolling | $53,764 |
| Rank in North Carolina (earnings) | 22nd of 55 similar colleges |
| Median debt of graduates | $19,500 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $222 (10-year plan) |
| Students with Pell grants | 39% |
| Students with federal loans | 44% |
Majors and programs at Western
Earnings one year after graduation and median debt, by program. Click a program for details and comparisons.
Bachelor's degree programs (55)
Certificate programs (7)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management | 1 | — | — |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | 1 | — | — |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | — | — | — |
| History | 4 | — | — |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | — | — | — |
| Music | 1 | — | — |
| Special Education and Teaching | — | — | — |
Post-baccalaureate certificate programs (2)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | — | — | — |
| History | — | — | — |
Master's degree programs (27)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 73 | $102,535 | $31,584 |
| Construction Engineering Technology/Technician | 50 | $102,324 | — |
| Marketing | 21 | $100,745 | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 103 | $85,783 | $23,828 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | 99 | $67,325 | $27,901 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 54 | $66,024 | — |
| Accounting and Related Services | 27 | $64,633 | — |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 52 | $63,486 | $24,001 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | 54 | $59,376 | $41,000 |
| Social Work | 134 | $52,233 | $35,682 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 60 | $51,288 | $15,246 |
| Education | 67 | $50,631 | $32,980 |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services | 84 | $46,221 | $40,495 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 17 | — | — |
| Biology | 19 | — | — |
| Chemistry | 8 | — | — |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | 10 | — | — |
| Engineering Technologies/Technicians | 16 | — | — |
| English Language and Literature | 17 | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts | — | — | — |
| Health Professions Education, Ethics, and Humanities | — | — | — |
| History | 14 | — | — |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | 1 | — | — |
| Outdoor Education | 29 | — | — |
| Psychology | 24 | — | — |
| Public Administration | 40 | — | $35,533 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 57 | — | — |
Doctoral degree programs (4)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | — | $209,047 | $73,675 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 30 | $86,083 | — |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | — | $71,587 | $49,619 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | — | — | — |
Professional degree programs (3)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | 3 | — | — |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 36 | — | — |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | 93 | — | — |
Graduate certificate programs (8)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 84 | $58,407 | — |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | — | $51,644 | — |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 12 | — | — |
| English Language and Literature | 2 | — | — |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | 1 | — | — |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 1 | — | — |
| Special Education and Teaching | — | — | — |
| Statistics | 3 | — | — |
Similar colleges in North Carolina
| College | City | Net price / yr | Acceptance | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina A & T State University | Greensboro | $9,884 | 50% | $50,279 |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro | Greensboro | $12,291 | 89% | $53,402 |
| University of North Carolina Wilmington | Wilmington | $19,570 | 64% | $61,019 |
| North Carolina Central University | Durham | $16,708 | 87% | $46,956 |
| Fayetteville State University | Fayetteville | $8,500 | 82% | $47,125 |
| University of North Carolina at Pembroke | Pembroke | $10,522 | 93% | $48,029 |
| Appalachian State University | Boone | $16,082 | 90% | $57,488 |
| East Carolina University | Greenville | $16,880 | 89% | $60,387 |
About Western
| Type | Public four-year university |
|---|---|
| Location | Cullowhee, NC |
| Setting | Town (distant) |
| Undergraduates | 10,024 |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 16 to 1 |
| Accreditor | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
| Website | wcu.edu ↗ |
Frequently asked questions
What is Western's acceptance rate?
Western Carolina University admits 82% of applicants. Admitted students average 1,157 on the SAT.
How much does Western cost per year?
The full cost of attendance is $21,165 a year (tuition and fees: $4,685 in-state, $8,685 out-of-state). After grants and scholarships the average student pays $13,025 a year, and students from families earning under $30,000 pay about $10,446.
How much do Western graduates earn?
Former students earn a median of $53,764 a year, 10 years after first enrolling — 22nd of 55 similar colleges in North Carolina. The best-paid bachelor's program is registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing ($75,592 a year after graduation).
What is Western's graduation rate?
61% of full-time students graduate within six years, and 79% of first-year students return for a second year.