Western Carolina University

School Overview: Acceptance Rate, Tuition, and More

Work here? Claim your school's profile

Cullowhee, NC

This school is more affordable than other schools.

Affordability is calculated by subtracting average financial aid from total tuition and fees.

Learn more about how we determine school awards

$1,000

Avg in-state tuition

$5,000

Avg out-of-state tuition

BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Discover programs by subject area to find the best college for your future.

Search All Programs

Work here? Claim your school's profile

About Western Carolina University

School Type: Public

Status: Non-profit

Accreditation: Regional

Religious Affiliation: N/A While the student experience is largely unaffected at most schools with religious affiliations, some schools place more of an emphasis on religion. Learn how religious affiliations may impact students' experience.

Military Friendly: YesMilitary-friendly schools are Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges, offer the Yellow Ribbon Program, and have a dedicated point of contact to support veterans, military service members, and their families. Explore our college guide for service members and veterans to learn more.

Western Carolina University is a medium-sized public university located on a rural campus in Cullowhee, North Carolina. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 10,517, and admissions are very selective, with an acceptance rate of 48%. The university offers 65 bachelor's degrees, has an average graduation rate of 64%, and a student-faculty ratio of 17:1. Tuition and fees for in-state students are $1,000, while tuition and fees for out-of-state students are $5,000.

Rankings

Learn more about how this school compares to other schools with rankings by BestColleges.

#1 Ranked in Best Online Entrepreneurship Programs
#7 Ranked in Best Online Master's in Human Resources Programs 2023
#7 Ranked in Best Online Colleges in North Carolina
#10 Ranked in Best Online Master’s in Sports Management Degree Programs of 2023

Admissions Breakdown

Acceptance Rate Insight

This school has a competitive acceptance rate.

This school is a little more selective about its students. Competitive acceptance schools welcome 15-50% of all applicants.

48% of students were accepted during the 2020-2021 school year. Sometimes schools with midrange acceptance rates have higher standards of entry but are still accessible to many students who apply.

Retention Rate Insight

81% of full-time students stayed to continue their studies the following academic year. These students started in Fall 2019 and returned in Fall 2020.

Graduation Rate Insight

64% of students graduated out of all full-time, first-time students who began their studies in Fall 2014. Keep in mind many students who enroll are not typically first-time students, as most are adult learners. Therefore, the number of first-time students is traditionally low.

Application Considerations

Test scores Required

High school transcript Required

High school rank Recommended

Letter of recommendation Considered (not required)

High school GPA Required

Open admission No

Completion of college prep program Required

Test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL) Required

Transfer Credit Policy

Dual enrollment Yes

Credit for qualified life experience* Yes

Advance placement (AP) credits Yes

*This can include previous jobs, trainings, licenses/credentials, or seminars. You may need to complete an exam or provide a portfolio to earn credit.

SAT & ACT

ACT 25th-75th Percentile 20-25

SAT 25th-75th Percentile 1020-1220

Resource

Undergraduate Application Guide

Learning Environment

Student Body Stats

This school has a student body of between 5,000 and 15,000 students.

Learn more about how we determine school awards

12k

Students enrolled

81%

Online student enrollment

17:1

Student to faculty ratio

Ways Students Can Learn

Online

On-campus

Hybrid

The program is a combination of on-campus and online learning and varies per program.

International

Online classes are available for students around the world.

Demographics

White

79%

Hispanic

Black

Two or more races

Non-U.S. Citizen

Unknown

Asian

American Indian/Alaska Native

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

Female student population

57%

Socio-economic diversity

37% of students received an income-based Federal Pell Grant intended for low-income students.

Explore Similar Schools

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, NC · Public · Non-profit

#6 Ranked in Cheapest and Most Affordable Online Colleges 2023

Costs to Consider	Price
Books and supplies	$616
On-campus room and board	$10,954
On-campus other expenses	$3,019
Off-campus (not with family) room and board	$11,277
Off-campus (not with family) other expenses	$3,019
Off-campus (with family) other expenses	$3,019

Total cost by category	In-state	Out-of-state
On-campus	$15,589	$19,589
Off-campus without family	$15,912	$19,912
Off-campus with family	$4,635	$8,635

#	Programs	BA	MA	Doc
1	Biological And Biomedical Sciences
	Biology/Biological Sciences, General
2	Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services
	Marketing, Other
	Business Administration and Management, General
	Business Administration, Management and Operations, Other
	Accounting
	Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies
	Marketing/Marketing Management, General
	Finance, General
	Hospitality Administration/Management, General
	Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General
	Management Information Systems, General
3	Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs
	Radio, Television, and Digital Communication, Other
	Communication Studies/Speech Communication and Rhetoric
4	Computer And Information Sciences And Support Services
	Computer Science
5	Education
	Spanish Language Teacher Education
	Social Studies Teacher Education
	Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education
	Physical Education Teaching and Coaching
	Music Teacher Education
	Mathematics Teacher Education
	College Student Counseling and Personnel Services
	Education, General
	Educational Leadership and Administration, General
	Educational, Instructional, and Curriculum Supervision
	Special Education and Teaching, General
	Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services
	Elementary Education and Teaching
	English/Language Arts Teacher Education
	Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching
	Kindergarten/Preschool Education and Teaching
	Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Other
	Art Teacher Education
6	Engineering Technologies/Technicians
	Construction Engineering Technology/Technician
	Electrical, Electronic and Communications Engineering Technology/Technician
	Engineering Technology, General
	Industrial Technology/Technician
7	Engineering
	Engineering, General
	Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
8	English Language And Literature/Letters
	English Language and Literature, General
9	Foreign Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics
	Spanish Language and Literature
10	Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences
	Physical Therapy/Therapist
	Environmental Health
	Athletic Training/Trainer
	Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic)
	Dietetics/Dietitian (RD)
	Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy
	Health/Health Care Administration/Management
	Nursing/Registered Nurse (RN, ASN, BSN, MSN)
	Nursing Practice
	Communication Disorders, General
11	History
	History, General
12	Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities
	Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies
13	Mathematics And Statistics
	Mathematics, General
14	Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
	International/Global Studies
15	Natural Resources And Conservation
	Environmental Science
	Natural Resources Management and Policy
16	Parks, Recreation, Leisure, And Fitness Studies
	Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management
	Sport and Fitness Administration/Management
17	Philosophy And Religious Studies
	Philosophy
18	Physical Sciences
	Chemistry, General
	Forensic Chemistry
	Geology/Earth Science, General
19	Psychology
	Psychology, General
20	Public Administration And Social Service Professions
	Public Administration
	Social Work
21	Security And Protective Services
	Criminal Justice/Safety Studies
22	Social Sciences
	Anthropology
	Political Science and Government, General
	Sociology
23	Visual And Performing Arts
	Music, General
	Interior Design
	Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General
	Art/Art Studies, General
	Fine/Studio Arts, General
	Music Performance, General

Western Carolina University

School Overview: Acceptance Rate, Tuition, and More

This school is more affordable than other schools.

About Western Carolina University

Rankings

Admissions Breakdown

Acceptance Rate Insight This school has a competitive acceptance rate. This school is a little more selective about its students. Competitive acceptance schools welcome 15-50% of all applicants.

This school has a competitive acceptance rate.

Retention Rate Insight

Graduation Rate Insight

Application Considerations

Transfer Credit Policy

SAT & ACT

Learning Environment

Student Body Stats

This school has a student body of between 5,000 and 15,000 students.

Ways Students Can Learn

Demographics

Socio-economic diversity

Explore Similar Schools

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

East Carolina University

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

North Carolina A & T State University

University of North Carolina Wilmington

The University of Tennessee-Martin

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Appalachian State University

Tennessee Technological University

Explore Similar Schools

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

East Carolina University

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

North Carolina A & T State University

University of North Carolina Wilmington

The University of Tennessee-Martin

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Appalachian State University

Tennessee Technological University

East Tennessee State University

Online Programs

Offers Online Programs

Online Programs

Total Online Enrollment

Student Location Breakout

Percent of Programs Online

Types of Online Programs Offered

Student Charges

Tuition and Required Fees

Cost of Undergraduate Attendance

Total Undergraduate Cost

Financial Breakdown

On average, students at this school receive more financial aid than students at other schools.

Students Receiving Aid

Average Aid Awarded

Financial Outlook

Varsity Athletic Teams

NCAA Division I-FCS

Participation

Degrees Awarded by Program

Biological And Biomedical Sciences

Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services

Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs

Computer And Information Sciences And Support Services

Education

Engineering Technologies/Technicians

Engineering

English Language And Literature/Letters

Foreign Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics

Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences

History

Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities

Mathematics And Statistics

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

Natural Resources And Conservation

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, And Fitness Studies

Philosophy And Religious Studies

Physical Sciences

Psychology

Public Administration And Social Service Professions

Acceptance Rate Insight

This school has a competitive acceptance rate.

This school is a little more selective about its students. Competitive acceptance schools welcome 15-50% of all applicants.