At a glance
Average net price
$13,315
In-state, after aid
6-year graduation rate
60.3%
Admission rate
82%
Undergrad size
10,024
In-state tuition
$4,630
Out-of-state tuition
$8,630
Cost of attendance
$19,992
Median earnings (10y)
$49,458
Admissions
- SAT average
- 1,157
- ACT midpoint
- 22
- Retention
- 79.1%
- Locale
- Town
Programs breakdown
24 program areas reported · Academic mix is led by social sciences (23%), health (22%), business (21%).
- STEM15%
- Health22%
- Business21%
- Humanities & arts12%
- Social sciences23%
- Trades & services8%
- Health professions21.6%~2,165 students/yr · HealthCompare schools
- Business20.7%~2,078 students/yr · BusinessCompare schools
- Education7.7%~769 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~615 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Psychology5.9%~591 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~556 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~548 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- Engineering tech4.1%~414 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Social sciences2.9%~292 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~280 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~269 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~261 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- Communication2.6%~257 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Engineering2.1%~208 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- English1.6%~161 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~161 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- History1.3%~126 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Computer science0.9%~87 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Mathematics0.5%~55 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~39 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~35 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~31 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Liberal arts0.2%~20 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~4 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
Share of all degrees and certificates awarded in each broad CIP-2 program area (U.S. Department of Education, latest reporting year). Estimated students/yr = share × undergrad size.
Specific majors offered
40 specific majors with reported completions. Earnings shown are median annual earnings 1 year after graduation; debt is median student-loan debt at graduation.
| Major | Credential | Grads | Median earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor's | 526 | $33,951 | $23,495 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor's | 488 | $58,362 | $23,163 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor's | 319 | $34,526 | $24,714 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor's | 305 | $35,154 | $21,461 |
| Marketing. | Bachelor's | 301 | $33,207 | $23,508 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor's | 276 | $23,472 | $23,250 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General. | Bachelor's | 268 | — | — |
| Public Administration. | Bachelor's | 210 | $55,712 | $18,375 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor's | 175 | $24,606 | $26,037 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Bachelor's | 167 | $47,032 | $23,835 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor's | 139 | $38,206 | $23,625 |
| Social Work. | Master's | 121 | $40,543 | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master's | 120 | $64,798 | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor's | 113 | $35,337 | $25,500 |
| Chemistry. | Bachelor's | 113 | $33,853 | $20,824 |
| Social Work. | Bachelor's | 109 | $30,194 | $25,857 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor's | 104 | $24,661 | $18,500 |
| Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General. | Bachelor's | 97 | $57,173 | $25,250 |
| Engineering, General. | Bachelor's | 95 | $62,214 | $25,550 |
| Construction Engineering Technology/Technician. | Bachelor's | 91 | $57,202 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Graduate certificate | 91 | — | — |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Master's | 91 | $55,207 | — |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | First professional | 90 | — | — |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor's | 89 | $36,962 | $20,000 |
| Anthropology. | Bachelor's | 88 | $20,834 | $22,595 |
| Music. | Bachelor's | 86 | $23,792 | $27,000 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master's | 85 | $55,835 | — |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor's | 85 | $30,162 | $25,000 |
| Education, General. | Master's | 81 | $40,933 | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor's | 81 | $24,466 | $26,000 |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Master's | 77 | $39,817 | — |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master's | 77 | $97,321 | — |
| Management Information Systems and Services. | Bachelor's | 76 | $36,319 | $23,000 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Master's | 71 | $43,009 | — |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Bachelor's | 70 | — | $21,287 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor's | 69 | $32,747 | $25,000 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. | Master's | 68 | — | — |
| Hospitality Administration/Management. | Bachelor's | 66 | $28,940 | $26,000 |
| History. | Bachelor's | 64 | $24,437 | $24,004 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management. | Bachelor's | 63 | $23,864 | $22,252 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study. Earnings cover graduates who received federal financial aid and are working / not enrolled. Cells marked "—" are not reported or were suppressed for privacy.
About Western Carolina University
Western Carolina University is a large institution located in Cullowhee, North Carolina, primarily awarding the bachelor's degree. It enrolls roughly 10,024 undergraduate students in a town setting. The most popular fields of study include Health professions, Business, Education.
Cost & tuition
The average net price at Western Carolina University — what a typical student actually pays after grants and scholarships — is $13,315 per year, which is moderately priced compared to other U.S. institutions. Sticker tuition runs $4,630 for in-state students and $8,630 for out-of-state students before aid. Total cost of attendance, including housing, books, and living expenses, comes to about $19,992 annually.
Graduation & earnings outcomes
The 6-year graduation rate is 60.3%, a above-average completion outcome. 79.1% of first-time students return for a second year, a useful proxy for student satisfaction and academic fit. Ten years after enrolling, the median graduate earns $49,458 per year according to U.S. Department of Education earnings tracking.
Programs & majors
Western Carolina University confers degrees and certificates across 24 broad program areas, with the largest concentrations of completions in Health professions, Business, Education. Grouped into wider academic categories, the mix is led by social sciences (23% of credentials), health (22% of credentials), business (21% of credentials), which gives a quick read on the school's overall academic profile. Use the programs breakdown below to see every reported area, an estimated number of students per program per year, and links to compare other U.S. colleges in the same field.
Admissions
Western Carolina University accepts 82% of applicants, making it open or near-open admission. Admitted students have an average SAT score around 1,157. The ACT midpoint for admitted students is roughly 22.
Location & campus
Set in Cullowhee, North Carolina (town), Western Carolina University draws students from across North Carolina and beyond. Prospective students often weigh proximity, cost of living, and local industry demand when choosing between schools in this area.
Frequently asked questions about Western Carolina University
Q.How much does Western Carolina University cost?
The average net price at Western Carolina University is $13,315 per year after grants and scholarships, with total cost of attendance around $19,992.
Q.What is the graduation rate at Western Carolina University?
Western Carolina University has a 6-year graduation rate of 60.3% according to the latest U.S. Department of Education data.
Q.How hard is it to get into Western Carolina University?
Western Carolina University admits 82% of applicants, which is considered open or near-open admission.
Q.How much do Western Carolina University graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, the median Western Carolina University graduate earns $49,458 per year.
Q.What is tuition at Western Carolina University?
Published tuition is $4,630 in-state and $8,630 out-of-state. Most students pay less than the sticker price after financial aid.
Q.Where is Western Carolina University located?
Western Carolina University is located in Cullowhee, North Carolina (ZIP 28723).
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS, the federal sources colleges are required to report to. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with Western Carolina University at their official website.