[updated for 2024-2025 admission data]
How hard is Western Carolina to get into?
This page provides the latest information on Western Carolina University (Western Carolina)'s admission process, acceptance rate, and student profile. Western Carolina's acceptance rate is 81.83% for 2024-2025 admission. A total of 19,742 students applied and 16,154 were admitted to the school. Its acceptance rate is relatively high, making it somewhat easy to get into Western Carolina.
To apply to Western Carolina, it is required to submit high school GPA and record. The SAT and ACT score is not required, but considered for admission. In addition, english proficiency test score is also considered (required).
Admission Statistics
For the academic year 2024-25, Western Carolina's acceptance rate is 81.83% and the yield (also known as enrollment rate) is 12.70%. 7,815 men and 11,892 women applied to Western Carolina and 6,146 men and 9,990 women students were accepted.
Among them, 860 men and 1,192 women were enrolled in Western Carolina. You can explore the Western Carolina's admission rates and SAT score trends over the past decade, including year-by-year data and analysis, by visiting Admission Trends page.
Median SAT and ACT Score
For the academic year 2025, 110 students (5% of enrolled students) submitted SAT scores and 393 students (19% of enrolled students) submitted ACT scores as part of the admission process at Western Carolina.
The median SAT score for admitted students is 1,180, including 610 in SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) and 570 in SAT Math. The 75th percentile SAT EBRW score is 660 and the 25th percentile is 560. For SAT Math, the 75th percentile score is 610 and the 25th percentile is 520.
The median ACT composite score is 23, with a 75th percentile score of 25 and a 25th percentile score of 19 at Western Carolina. The median ACT Math score is 21 and the median ACT English score is 21.
How competitive is Western Carolina's score?
The SAT and ACT scores at Western Carolina University are similar to the average score compared to similar colleges (SAT: 1,056, ACT: 21 - public doctoral / research university).
First-year Enrollment by Gender and Enrolled Type
For the academic year 2024-25, total 2,052 first-year students enrolled in Western Carolina. The proportion of full-time students is 98.59% and part-time students is 1.41%.
By gender, the proportion of men students is 41.91% and women students is 58.09%.
The following table shows the first-year students by gender and enrolled type at Western Carolina.
Application Requirements
It requires to submit High School GPA, High School Rank, High School Record (or Transcript), Completion of College Preparatory Program, and English Proficiency Test to its applicants.
The SAT and ACT test score is not required, but considered in admission process at Western Carolina. The english proficiency test is required .
The next table summarizes the application requirements to apply Western Carolina University.
For more admission information such as minimum GPA and deadlines, see its online application page .
General Admissions Information
The following provides general admission information for applying to Western Carolina:
- Open Admission Policy: No
- Undergraduate Application Fees: -
- Graduate Application Fees: -
- Admission Information: www.wcu.edu/apply/index.aspx
- Online Application: www.wcu.edu/apply/undergraduate-admissions/apply.aspx
- Calendar System: Semester
- Course for High School Students: Not Offered
- Credits Accepted: Credits for Life Experiences, Advanced placement (AP) Credits
- Degree Offered: 1-Year Certificate, Bachelor, Post-Bachelor Certificate, Master, Post-Master Certificate, Doctoral (Research), Doctoral (Professional Practice)
Western Carolina Admission Frequently Asked Questions
Western Carolina is relatively easy to get into, with an acceptance rate of 81.83%.
Western Carolina recommends submitting SAT or ACT scores, but they are not strictly required for admission. The average SAT score required for admission to Western Carolina is 1,180, and the average ACT score is 23. Meeting or exceeding these scores will improve your chances of admission.
Western Carolina recommends submitting a personal essay or statement, but it is not strictly required.
Western Carolina recommends submitting a recommendation letter, but it is not strictly required.
Western Carolina does not require an application fee for undergraduate or graduate admission.
Yes, Western Carolina requires applicants to submit high school GPA, high school rank, high school record or transcript as part of the admission process.
Yes, Western Carolina requires international applicants to submit an English proficiency test (like TOEFL or IELTS) as part of the application.
The institutional SAT code for Western Carolina is 5897 and 4-digit ACT code is 3172.