Western Carolina University is a public 4-year college in Cullowhee, North Carolina with 10,024 undergraduates. It admits 82% of applicants, costs an average of $13,025 a year after grants and graduates 61% of its students.
Figures from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, released October 15, 2026. What each number covers.
Western Carolina University acceptance rate and admissions
Western Carolina University admitted 82% of applicants for fall 2024. The median acceptance rate at 4-year colleges is 77%.
Test scores: Considered but not required (as reported for fall 2024 admission). That means you can apply without SAT or ACT scores. Check the admissions office for the current policy.
The colored band is the middle 50% of enrolled students in fall 2024 (reading and writing 560 to 660, math 520 to 610). The tick marks the typical 4-year college. Check how your scores fit.
Western Carolina University application deadlines 2026-27
| Round | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Early action | Nov 1, 2026 (passed) |
| Regular decision | Feb 1, 2027 |
Next deadline: Regular decision, Feb 1, 2027. Application fee through the Common App: $65 for U.S. applicants. Confirm dates on Western Carolina University’s admissions page; see every college on the deadline calendar.
Source: Common App 2026-27 first-year deadlines, fees and requirements grid, updated Sep 25, 2026.
Western Carolina University tuition, cost and net price
| Tuition and fees, in-state (2025-26) | $4,685 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, out-of-state (2025-26) | $8,685 |
| On-campus housing and food (2025-26) | $12,535 |
| Total cost of attendance (2024-25) | $21,165 |
| Average net price after grants (2024-25) | $13,025 |
Students who get federal aid pay an average of $13,025 a year after grants and scholarships, $8,140 less than the full cost of attendance. This figure covers in-state students.
What families pay, by income
Average yearly cost after grants for aided first-time students paying in-state tuition, by family income (2024-25):
Your own price depends on your family's full situation. Run Western Carolina University's net price calculator for a personal estimate, or make a "what it costs us" card.
Western Carolina University graduation rate, earnings and debt
- 61% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years (students who started in 2019).
- Former students earned a median of $53,764 a year, 10 years after they started (students who received federal aid and were working).
- Students who completed left with a median of $19,500 in federal student loans.
Earnings compared
Debt compared
Median debt is 36% of median earnings 10 years after entry. Many advisers suggest keeping total student debt below one year of expected pay. See the monthly payment.
Western Carolina University majors and what graduates earn
Western Carolina University awarded bachelor's degrees in 51 fields recently. The best-paid graduates four years out came from computer science ($86,853).
All 51 majors at Western Carolina University
| Major | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer science | 23 | $72,951 | $86,853 | $20,518 |
| Construction Engineering Technology/Technician | 53 | $67,639 | $83,954 | $23,215 |
| Engineering, general | 37 | $68,048 | $82,500 | $25,000 |
| Nursing | 266 | $75,592 | $79,533 | $15,193 |
| Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians | 10 | $64,202 | $79,441 | $26,000 |
| Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General | 42 | $64,722 | $78,801 | $22,620 |
| Public administration | 112 | $56,514 | $70,331 | $18,450 |
| Allied health (PA, radiography, therapy and more) | 94 | $62,216 | $65,010 | $16,500 |
| Management information systems | 35 | $50,204 | $62,128 | $20,722 |
| Public health | 11 | n/a | $61,698 | n/a |
| Accounting | 33 | $46,607 | $61,346 | $15,375 |
| Mathematics | 17 | $60,560 | $59,885 | $21,954 |
| Graphic and industrial design | 22 | $41,982 | $58,467 | $25,500 |
| Finance | 78 | $50,769 | $58,076 | $18,615 |
| Business administration | 270 | $46,375 | $57,713 | $17,823 |
| Marketing | 158 | $44,191 | $56,568 | $20,000 |
| Criminal justice | 158 | $42,604 | $55,903 | $19,288 |
| Nutrition and dietetics | 14 | n/a | $53,622 | n/a |
| Speech-language pathology | 27 | $28,394 | $52,183 | $17,750 |
| Political science | 27 | $36,388 | $52,077 | $23,000 |
| Chemistry | 74 | $43,593 | $51,213 | $24,605 |
| Kinesiology and exercise science | 36 | $38,717 | $50,761 | $21,720 |
| Biology | 74 | $37,828 | $50,180 | $21,218 |
| Social work | 51 | $43,655 | $50,025 | $23,320 |
| Physical and occupational therapy | 19 | $39,414 | $49,898 | $20,750 |
| Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy | 27 | $38,903 | $49,834 | $19,763 |
| Hospitality management | 16 | $39,130 | $49,798 | $18,653 |
| Psychology | 163 | $34,534 | $48,350 | $20,380 |
| Teacher education by subject | 55 | $43,523 | $48,232 | $25,000 |
| Teacher education by grade level | 127 | $43,757 | $47,105 | $19,339 |
| Special education | 13 | $47,374 | $47,031 | $24,937 |
| Sociology | 27 | $40,218 | $46,195 | $21,655 |
| Anthropology | 40 | $32,379 | $45,809 | $24,000 |
| English | 42 | $31,686 | $45,079 | $21,950 |
| Music | 46 | $39,595 | $44,014 | $27,750 |
| Radio, TV and digital media | 17 | n/a | $43,954 | $25,000 |
| Communication | 48 | $40,651 | $43,322 | $19,000 |
| Fine and studio arts | 44 | $34,090 | $43,029 | $19,500 |
| History | 33 | $30,763 | $42,698 | $22,200 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management | 31 | $35,458 | $41,786 | $20,250 |
| Environmental science | 16 | $35,697 | $40,831 | $19,391 |
| Romance languages | 14 | $42,921 | $40,744 | $18,838 |
| Theater | 31 | n/a | $34,516 | $25,000 |
| Health professions, general | 121 | $36,294 | n/a | $20,261 |
| Electrical engineering | 16 | $74,403 | n/a | $19,500 |
| International/Globalization Studies | 12 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Philosophy | 11 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Geology and earth sciences | 11 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | 9 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Liberal arts and general studies | 8 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Economics | 4 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Four-year earnings: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Fields with few graduates have no published earnings.
Graduate programs at Western Carolina University
29 graduate programs awarded degrees recently. Largest first.
Show 29 graduate programs
| Program | Degree | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social work | Master's | 65 | $52,233 | $35,682 |
| Business administration | Master's | 51 | $85,783 | $23,828 |
| Human resources | Master's | 50 | $67,325 | $27,901 |
| Physical and occupational therapy | Professional doctorate | 47 | n/a | n/a |
| School counseling and student services | Master's | 43 | $46,221 | $40,495 |
| Education | Master's | 40 | $50,631 | $32,980 |
| Education leadership | Master's | 35 | $66,024 | n/a |
| Nursing | Master's | 35 | $102,535 | $31,584 |
| Kinesiology and exercise science | Master's | 31 | $51,288 | $15,246 |
| Teacher education by grade level | Master's | 28 | n/a | n/a |
| Speech-language pathology | Master's | 27 | $59,376 | $41,000 |
| Construction Engineering Technology/Technician | Master's | 25 | $102,324 | n/a |
| Health administration | Master's | 21 | $63,486 | $24,001 |
| Public administration | Master's | 18 | n/a | $35,533 |
| Nursing | Professional doctorate | 17 | n/a | n/a |
| Education leadership | Doctoral | 16 | $86,083 | n/a |
| Accounting | Master's | 15 | $64,633 | n/a |
| Psychology | Master's | 14 | n/a | n/a |
| Biology | Master's | 12 | n/a | n/a |
| Outdoor Education | Master's | 12 | n/a | n/a |
| Marketing | Master's | 12 | $100,745 | n/a |
| Allied health (PA, radiography, therapy and more) | Master's | 10 | n/a | n/a |
| Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General | Master's | 9 | n/a | n/a |
| Clinical and counseling psychology | Master's | 6 | n/a | n/a |
| History | Master's | 6 | n/a | n/a |
| Chemistry | Master's | 5 | n/a | n/a |
| English | Master's | 4 | n/a | n/a |
| Clinical and counseling psychology | Professional doctorate | 3 | n/a | n/a |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | Master's | 1 | n/a | n/a |
Students and location
- 10,024 degree-seeking undergraduates (fall 2024)
- 58% women, 43% men
- 16 students for every faculty member
- Setting: distant town
- Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Frequently asked questions
What is the acceptance rate at Western Carolina University?
Western Carolina University admitted 82% of applicants for fall 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
How much does Western Carolina University cost?
Tuition and fees for 2025-26 are $4,685 for in-state students and $8,685 for out-of-state students. After grants and scholarships, aided students paid an average net price of $13,025 a year in 2024-25.
What SAT score do you need for Western Carolina University?
The middle 50% of enrolled students scored 560 to 660 in reading and writing and 520 to 610 in math, and 19 to 25 on the ACT. Scores inside these ranges are typical for admitted students.
Is Western Carolina University test-optional?
For fall 2024 admission, Western Carolina University reported that test scores were: considered but not required. Policies change, so confirm with the admissions office.
What is the graduation rate at Western Carolina University?
61% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years.
How much do Western Carolina University graduates make?
Former students who received federal aid earned a median of $53,764 a year 10 years after they started, in 2024 dollars.
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More: all colleges in North Carolina · Western Carolina University on the College Scorecard
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, data release of October 15, 2026. What each figure means and the year it covers.