Tuition, Fees, and Living Costs Analysis

UndergraduateGraduatePer Credit HourComparison

Undergraduate Tuition & Fees

For the academic year 2023-2024, the undergraduate tuition & fees at Western Carolina University is $4,532 for North Carolina residents and $8,532 for out-of-state students. It has been risen by 1.77% for North Carolina residents and increased by 0.93% for out-of-state rates compared to the previous year. Its in-state undergraduate tuition and fees is much lower than the average amount ($10,086) and its out-of-state undergraduate tuition and fees is much lower than the average amount for similar schools' tuition of $19,667.
The 2025 estimated undergraduate tuition & fees for Western Carolina is $4,612 for North Carolina residents and $8,612 for out-of-state students which is a 0.9% increase compared to 2024's rate.
It has been risen by 1.77% for North Carolina residents and increased by 0.93% for out-of-state rates compared to the previous year. The living costs including for room, board, transpiration, and other personal expenses is $15,094 for year 2024. The on-campus living costs increased by 6.12% compared to the previous year.The off-campus living costs increased by 3.55% compared to the previous year.
You may want to compare the school to other North Carolina schools with tuition changes from last year at North Carolina colleges tuition change page.
Western Carolina Undergraduate Tuition & Fees
YearIn-StateOut-of-StateOn Campus Room & Board, Other Expenses
2022-2023$4,453 $8,453$14,224
2023-2024$4,532$8,532$15,094
Change % 2023-20241.77%0.93%6.12%
2024-2025$4,612$8,612$16,017
Updated with 2023-2024 tuition (Last update: 03/01/2024)
Cost estimates for 2024-2025 are based on last year's rate of change.
Western Carolina University - COA
Western Carolina University - Undergraduate Tuition Chart
Western Carolina University - Room and Board Coost Chart

Graduate Tuition & Fees

For Graduate School, in-state tuition and fees is $7,778 and out-of-state tuition and fees is $18,497 for the academic year 2023-2024. Its in-state graduate tuition and fees is lower than the average amount ($10,520) and its out-of-state graduate tuition and fees is around the average amount for similar schools' tuition of $18,149.
The 2025 estimated tuition & fees at Western Carolina is $7,996 for North Carolina residents and $19,036 for out-of-state students which is a 2.9% increase compared to 2024's rate.
Western Carolina Graduate Tuition & Fees
YearIn-StateOut-of-StateOn Campus Room & Board, Other Expenses
2022-2023$7,566 $17,973$14,224
2023-2024$7,778$18,497$15,094
Change % 2023-20242.80%2.92%6.12%
2024-2025$7,996$19,036$16,017
***
Updated with 2023-2024 tuition (Last update: 03/01/2024)
Cost estimates for 2024-2025 are based on last year's rate of change.
Western Carolina University - Graduate Tuition Chart

Tuition Per Credit Hour

The below table describes the cost per credit hour for part-time students and/or full-time students who take additional courses more than regular credit hours at Western Carolina. The undergraduate tuition per credit hour is $184 for North Carolina residents and $344 for out-of-state students. The graduate tuition per credit hour is $441 for North Carolina residents and $1,276 for out-of-state students.
Per Credit Hour Charge (2023-2024)
YearIn-StateOut-of-State
Undergraduate2022-2023$181$341
2023-2024$184$344
2024-2025$187$347
Graduate2022-2023$429$1,240
2023-2024$441$1,276
2024-2025$453$1,313
The 2024 costs per credit hour has been officially published by IPEDS and 2025 costs is estimated based on the change rate of last two years.
Western Carolina University - Tuition per Credit Hour
Western Carolina University - Books and Supplies Costs

Compare Tuition to Similar Colleges

The next table compares the tuition & fees between Western Carolina University and its similar schools. The similar schools are based on factors such as school type, level, and rivalry schools.
Tuition Comparison between Western Carolina University and Similar Schools
In-StateOut-of-State
Western Carolina University$4,532$8,532
East Tennessee State University$9,950$13,790
Mercer University$40,890
Wofford College$54,100
Citadel Military College of South Carolina$12,570$37,370
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga$10,144$18,208

Four(4) Years Tuition & Fees and Costs of Attendance

Tuition & FeesCOAAfter Financial Aid

How Much is the tuition for 4 years at Western Carolina?

For the students who were admitted in Fall 2024, the estimated tuition for 4 years at Western Carolina is $18,754 for North Carolina residents and $34,750 for out-of-state students.
Since the tuition & fees at Western Carolina University have risen very slightly (very lower than national average) over the last 4 years, the actual costs may differ from the estimation based on the school or University system's new tuition policy.
The estimation excludes the book, supplies, and living costs before receiving any financial aid. See the other tabs for estimating 4-year total costs of attendance and after financial aid. The next table shows the estimated 4-years tuition & fees for the next 5 admission years. The estimation is based on 4-years changes in tuition & fees at the school.
Four(4) Years Tuition & Fees Estimates
ResidencyFreshmenSophomoreJuniorSenior4 Years Total
Class of 2028 (Admission Fall 2024)In-State$4,594$4,656$4,720$4,784$18,754
Out-of-State$8,594$8,656$8,719$8,782$34,750
Class of 2029 (Admission Fall 2025)In-State$4,656$4,720$4,784$4,849$19,010
Out-of-State$8,656$8,719$8,782$8,845$35,001
Class of 2030 (Admission Fall 2026)In-State$4,720$4,784$4,849$4,915$19,269
Out-of-State$8,719$8,782$8,845$8,909$35,255
Class of 2031 (Admission Fall 2027)In-State$4,784$4,849$4,915$4,982$19,531
Out-of-State$8,782$8,845$8,909$8,974$35,510
Class of 2032 (Admission Fall 2028)In-State$4,849$4,915$4,982$5,050$19,797
Out-of-State$8,845$8,909$8,974$9,039$35,767

Total College Costs Including Living Costs and Personal Expenses

The table shows the 4-years estimation of total costs of attendance (COA). It includes the tuition & fees, books & supplies costs, room & board charges, and other living expenses.
For the students who were admitted in Fall 2024, the estimated 4-years COA is $84,955 for North Carolina residents and $100,951 for out-of-state students.
Since the tuition & fees at Western Carolina University have risen very slightly (very lower than national average) over the last 4 years, the actual costs may differ from the estimation based on the school or University system's new tuition policy. The next table shows the 4-year COA estimation for the next 5 admission years at Western Carolina University.
Four(4) Years of Costs of Attendance
ResidencyFreshmenSophomoreJuniorSenior4 Years Total
Class of 2028 (Admission Fall 2024)In-State$20,680$21,048$21,402$21,763$84,955
Out-of-State$24,680$25,048$25,421$25,802$100,951
Class of 2029 (Admission Fall 2025)In-State$21,048$21,423$21,783$22,150$86,467
Out-of-State$25,048$25,421$25,802$26,188$102,459
Class of 2030 (Admission Fall 2026)In-State$21,423$21,804$22,171$22,544$88,007
Out-of-State$25,421$25,802$26,188$26,582$103,993
Class of 2031 (Admission Fall 2027)In-State$21,804$22,192$22,566$22,946$89,574
Out-of-State$25,802$26,188$26,582$26,982$105,553
Class of 2032 (Admission Fall 2028)In-State$22,192$22,588$22,968$23,354$91,171
Out-of-State$26,188$26,582$26,982$27,389$107,140

Actual COA after Receiving Financial Aid

Last year, 96% of enrolled undergraduate students have received grants or scholarship aid. It includes any financial aid from the federal government, state, local, institute, and other sources known by the institution. It excludes federal/private student loans.
After receiving the financial aid, the net price for 4 years of attending the school is $67,179 for North Carolina residents and $83,175 for out-of-state students.
Since the tuition & fees at Western Carolina University have risen very slightly (very lower than national average) over the last 4 years, the actual costs may differ from the estimation based on the school or University system's new tuition policy. The next table shows the 4-year COA estimation with financial aid for the next 5 admission years at Western Carolina University.
Four(4) Years Costs of Attendance after Financial Aid
ResidencyFreshmenSophomoreJuniorSenior4 Years Total
Class of 2028 (Admission Fall 2024)In-State$16,236$16,604$16,958$17,319$67,179
Out-of-State$20,236$20,604$20,977$21,358$83,175
Class of 2029 (Admission Fall 2025)In-State$16,604$16,979$17,339$17,706$68,691
Out-of-State$20,604$20,977$21,358$21,744$84,683
Class of 2030 (Admission Fall 2026)In-State$16,979$17,360$17,727$18,100$70,231
Out-of-State$20,977$21,358$21,744$22,138$86,217
Class of 2031 (Admission Fall 2027)In-State$17,360$17,748$18,122$18,502$71,798
Out-of-State$21,358$21,744$22,138$22,538$87,777
Class of 2032 (Admission Fall 2028)In-State$17,748$18,144$18,524$18,910$73,395
Out-of-State$21,744$22,138$22,538$22,945$89,364

Tuition, Fees, and Living Cost Tables and Charts

Next tables and charts illustrate the 2024 tuition, fees, books & supplies, and living costs in detail. We provide the previous 5 years' costs so that you can check the increased amounts of each cost item and estimate future year costs. In addition, you can check the financial aid amount including grant, scholarship, and federal student loans for the last five years. Use the left menu to explore the tuition and college costs information at Western Carolina University.
Tuition & Fees | Financial Aid
Western Carolina University 2024 Costs of Attendance
In-StateOut-of-State
Tuition and FeesBook & SuppliesLiving Costs Tuition & FeesBook & SuppliesLiving Costs
Undergraduate$4,532$693$15,094$8,532$693 $15,094
Graduate$7,778 $693$15,094$18,497 $693$15,094
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The following schools are frequently compared to Western Carolina. Compare them with important perspectives.
Members In SoCon
Western Carolina University is a member of Southern Conference (SoCon). Check and Compare to other members.


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