Western Carolina University

Western Carolina University Overview

Western Carolina University is a public, state school in a rural setting in Cullowhee, North Carolina. Western Carolina University was founded in 1889 and the school presently has around 11,877 students per year, which includes 10,145 undergrad students. Western Carolina University offers on-campus housing for students. Most students live in off campus housing.

📆 Mark your calendar! The final application deadline for Fall 2023 is March 1.

There are many ways for students to get involved at Western Carolina University!

Interested in music or performing? At Western Carolina University you can join a campus band, sing in a chorus, or perform with one of the school's theater groups.

Are you interested in journalism and communications? Western Carolina University students can write for the campus newspaper, host a radio show or be a producer for the student-run television channel.

Interested in joining a fraternity or sorority? Western Carolina University has both fraternities and sororities.

Planning to play sports? Western Carolina University has many options for athletes. See them all and learn more about life at Western Carolina University on the Student Life page.

Is Western Carolina University a Good School?

Different people have different ideas about what makes a "good" school. Some factors that can help you determine what a good school for you might be include admissions criteria, acceptance rate, tuition costs, and more.

Let's take a closer look at these areas to get a clearer view of what Western Carolina University offers and if the college seems like the right college for you.

2022 Acceptance Rate for Western Carolina University

It is moderately difficult to get into Western Carolina University. The university admitted 74% of all applicants in 2022. Last year, 13,146 students applied to Western Carolina University and 9,772 were admitted.

Retention and Graduation Rates at Western Carolina University

Retention refers to the number of students that stay enrolled at a school over time. Retention measures how satisfied students are with their school experience, and if they have the support necessary to succeed in college.

Approximately 75% of first-year, full-time undergrads who start at Western Carolina Universityare still enrolled the next year. Around 61% of students who started at Western Carolina University earn their Bachelor's degrees within six years. The average six-year graduation rate for U.S. colleges and universities is 61% for public schools, and 67% for private, non-profit schools.

Job Outcomes for Western Carolina University Grads

Job placement rates after graduation and average starting salaries can all give important clues about the value of a degree from a specific school.

Check with Western Carolina University directly, for information on any information on starting salaries for recent grads.

Western Carolina University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and support students.

Western Carolina University's endowment was valued at $90.6 million in 2022, compared to a national average of $905 million.

Tuition and Financial Aid at Western Carolina University

Tuition is another important factor when choose a college. Some colleges may have high tuition, but do a better job at meeting students' financial need.

Western Carolina University meets 65% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $9,291 a year.

In 2020, students graduated with an average of $29,213 in student loans for each student with debt. For context, compare this number with the average national debt, which is around $36,000 per borrower.

The 2023-2024 FAFSA Opened on October 1st, 2022

Some financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so fill out the FAFSA asap. Visit the FAFSA website to apply for student aid. Remember, the first F in FAFSA stands for FREE! You should never have to pay to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), so be very wary of anyone asking you for money.

Learn more about Tuition and Financial Aid at Western Carolina University.

Based on this information, does Western Carolina University seem like a good fit? Remember, a school that is perfect for one person may not be the right school for another! So ask yourself: Is Western Carolina University a good school for you?

If Western Carolina University seems like a school you want to apply to, click the heart button to save it to your college list.

Still Researching Schools?

Choose one of the options below to learn more about Western Carolina University:

Admissions

Student Life

Academics

Tuition & Aid

Western Carolina University Community Forums

Then use the college admissions predictor to take a data science look at your chances of getting into some of the most selective schools in the U.S.

Where is Western Carolina University Located?

Western Carolina University is located in the rural setting of Cullowhee, North Carolina.

If you would like to see Western Carolina University for yourself, be sure to plan a visit! The best way to reach campus is to take Interstate 40 to Cullowhee, or book a flight to the nearest airport, Asheville Regional.

You can also take a virtual campus tour to get a sense of what Western Carolina University and Cullowhee are like without leaving home.

Considering Going to School in North Carolina?

See a full list of colleges in North Carolina and save your favorites to your college list.