Western Carolina's tuition & fees has increased from $17,016 (2015) to $8,630 (2025), and the rate of tuition increase is 49.28% over the past 10 years. The graduate school tuition & fees has raised from $17,472 (year 2015) to $18,595 (year 2025).
Western Carolina's tuition increase rate is lower than the North Carolina's average increase rate of 4.37%. Compare to all colleges in United States, it's increase rate is lower than the average increase rate of 10.99%.
Cost of Attendance (COA) Trends
The total cost of attendance (COA), including tuition & fees, books & supplies costs, and living costs, increased by -17.24% from 2015 ($30,407).
For the current academic year 2024-2025, Western Carolina's COA is $25,165, which is increased by 3.48% from last year.
The following table and chart show changes to Western Carolina's COA over the past 10 years.
Tuition & Fees Changes
The tuition & fees have decreased 49.28% for the last 10 years , and the 2025 tuition & fees are $5,000. The following table and chart show the tuition & fees changes at Western Carolina University over last the 10 years.
Books & Supplies Costs Changes
The cost of purchasing books & supplies which are required/recommended for courses $800, and it has decreased -62.84% from the year 2015 to 2025.
| Year | Books & Supplies | Change by Year |
|---|
| 2015-16 | $2,153 | - |
|---|
| 2016-17 | $2,151 | -0.09% |
|---|
| 2017-18 | $2,332 | 8.41% |
|---|
| 2018-19 | $1,055 | -54.76% |
|---|
| 2019-20 | $1,059 | 0.38% |
|---|
| 2020-21 | $616 | -41.83% |
|---|
| 2021-22 | $621 | 0.81% |
|---|
| 2022-23 | $664 | 6.92% |
|---|
| 2023-24 | $693 | 4.37% |
|---|
| 2024-25 | $800 | 15.44% |
|---|
Living Costs Changes
The living costs including room, board, and other living expenses have increased 30.62% when a student lives on-campus facilities and 25.68% when living-off campus from the year 2015 to 2025. The following table shows the changes in living costs at Western Carolina University.
| Year | Living On Campus | Living Off Campus | Change by Year |
|---|
| 2015-16 | $11,238 | $12,110 | - |
|---|
| 2016-17 | $12,032 | $12,616 | 7.07% |
|---|
| 2017-18 | $12,223 | $13,089 | 1.59% |
|---|
| 2018-19 | $12,724 | $13,403 | 4.10% |
|---|
| 2019-20 | $13,404 | $13,849 | 5.34% |
|---|
| 2020-21 | $13,973 | $14,296 | 4.25% |
|---|
| 2021-22 | $14,030 | $14,361 | 0.41% |
|---|
| 2022-23 | $14,224 | $15,116 | 1.38% |
|---|
| 2023-24 | $15,094 | $15,652 | 6.12% |
|---|
| 2024-25 | $15,735 | $16,235 | 4.25% |
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Compare Tuition Change to Similar Colleges
The following table compares 2025 tuition and increase rate from last year between Western Carolina University and similar schools.
| 2025 | 2024 | Increase Rate |
|---|
| Western Carolina University | $8,630
($4,630) | $8,532
($4,532) | 1.15% |
|---|
|
| East Tennessee State University | $13,726
($10,216) | $13,034
($9,706) | 5.31% |
|---|
|
| Wofford College | $56,005
($41,955) | $54,100
($41,955) | 3.52% |
|---|
|
| Citadel Military College of South Carolina | $38,508
($12,570) | $37,370
($12,570) | 3.05% |
|---|
|
| The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga | $18,512
($10,448) | $18,208
($10,144) | 1.67% |
|---|
|
| Samford University | $40,150
($30,490) | $38,144
($30,490) | 5.26% |
|---|
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