Western Carolina Academic Snapshot
Admission Selectiveness:
- Admission Rate: 81.83%. Not very selective
- SAT Average: 1180. Average SAT scores, indicating a moderately competitive applicant pool.
Tuition Overview:
- In-State Tuition: $4,630
- Out-of-State Tuition: $8,630
- Both in-state and out-of-state tuition are relatively affordable compared to national averages.
Student Population at Western Carolina:
- Total Enrollment: 11,686, including 2,836 online students
- 10,112 Undergraduate, 1,574 Graduate
- Gender Distribution: 40.8% men, 59.2% women.
- This is a medium-sized institution, offering diverse programs and student activities.
Graduation & Retention Rate
- Graduation Rate: 60%. Moderate graduation rate, typical for many institutions.
- Transfer-Out Rate: 27%. Some students transfer out, which is common in higher education.
- First-Year Retention Rate: 79%. Good retention, typical for many institutions.
Programs & Degrees Offered
- Programs Offered: 114 academic programs available.
- Online Programs: 31 programs available fully online.
- Graduate Programs: 33 graduate-level programs offered.
- Special Programs: Health Professions.
- Degrees Awarded: Certificate, Bachelor's, Master's, Doctor's.
Western Carolina Overview
Western Carolina University (Western Carolina) is a four-year, public school located in Cullowhee, NC. It is classified as Doctoral / Research University by Carnegie Classification, also known as D/PU (Doctoral/Professional University). You can compare their tuition and admission statistics at D/PU (Doctoral/Professional University) comparison page.
The Western Carolina's tuition & fees is $4,630 for North Carolina residents and $8,630 for out-of-state students for the academic year 2024-2025. 65% of the enrolled undergraduates have received grants or scholarships, with an average aid amount of $6,267.
The school has a total enrollment of 11,686 and the students to faculty ratio is 16 to 1 (6.25%).
Western Carolina's acceptance rate is 81.83% and the yield (enrollment rate) is 12.70%. The median SAT score is 1180 and the ACT score is 23.
Western Carolina ranked 24th in North Carolina Colleges rankings. Western Carolina University is accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
2025 Tuition & Fees and 2026 Estimation
For undergraduate programs, the 2025 tuition & fees of Western Carolina University is $4,630 for in-state students and $8,630 for out-of-state students. For graduate programs, its 2025 tuition & fees is $7,876 for in-state students and $18,595 for out-of-state students.
The estimated 2026 tuition & fees for prospective students is $4,730 for North Carolina residents and $8,729 for out-of-state students based on the current year tuition changes from last year. The estimated 2026 graduate school tuition & fees is $7,975 for North Carolina residents and $18,694 for out-of-state students.
| In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| Undergraduate | $4,630 | $8,630 |
|---|
| Graduate | $7,876 | $18,595 |
|---|
| In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| Undergraduate | $4,730 | $8,729 |
|---|
| Graduate | $7,975 | $18,694 |
|---|
The estimation for 2025-2026 tuition costs is based on the cost change rates of last year.
Learning Opportunities and Campus Services
Western Carolina University offers online classes (distance learning opportunities) for both undergraduate and graduate programs.
Special Learning Opportunities at Western Carolina
| Learning Opportunities |
|---|
| ROTC | No |
|---|
| Weekend/Evening College | Yes |
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| Teacher Certification | Yes |
|---|
| Study Abroad | Yes |
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| On-Campus Services |
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| Academic/career counseling service | Yes |
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| Employment services for students | Yes |
|---|
| Placement services for completers | Yes |
|---|
| On-campus day care for students' children | Yes |
|---|
Western Carolina University Directory Information
Tools for analyzing and comparing Western Carolina