Western Carolina University

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at Western Carolina University was $4,366 a year for in-state students and $11,157 a year for out-of-state students.

On average, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

Remember, the total cost of tuition isn't necessarily what you will have to pay to attend a school. Many students find the actual cost of college is way less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. Additionally, student loans can make thecost of college feel more doable until you've finishing school and found a job.

International students can expect to pay 5,000 per year for tuition at Western Carolina University.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at Western Carolina University

Western Carolina University is a public, state institution, so it offers a reduced tuition rate of $4,366 for in-state students who attend full-time.Non-North Carolina residents can expect to pay 11,157 per year for tuition.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. These institutions offer reduced tuition for those who qualify as North Carolina residents.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state tuition can cut the cost of college tuition. Be sure to check your state's rules for as an in-state resident. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. In many states, students must have lived in the state for 12 months before starting school to qualify for in-state tuition. There may be additional requirements as well, depending on where you live.

Explore other North Carolina colleges

Is Western Carolina University's Tuition Different for International Students?

Western Carolina University has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students at Western Carolina University can expect to pay around $5,000 per year, before any scholarships or financial aid.

Students from outside of the U.S. are not eligible for federal financial aid, but may be eligible for private or Western Carolina University-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities..

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Western Carolina University Room, Board, Fees, and More

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Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Western Carolina University.

Room and Board Costs at Western Carolina University

Room and board at Western Carolina University is $9,087 a year. This includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a dining plan that allows you to eat in the school dining facilities. Students who do not live on-campus but would like to be able to eat in the campus dining can choose to be on a meal plan. The cost of board-only is $6,710.

Board costs can depend on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

How Much Do Books Cost at Western Carolina University?

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The real cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and what kinds of books and materials they require. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Yearly Fees

Most schools charge some yearly fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

There may be optional fees associated with participating in special activities, like Greek Life, or playing on an intramural sports team. Many schools offer resources for students who may struggle to participate because of cost can find ways to lower or eliminate these fees.

The Cost of Transportation at Western Carolina University

The cost of transportation in college depends on a few key factors. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus easy to get around on foot? Do you own a car, or are you planning to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these factors can make a big difference in your estimated cost of transportation. At Western Carolina University, freshman are allowed to park on campus.

A school's location can also have a big effect on the amount you'll have to spend just to get around. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand transportation in an urban area could be pricey, but cities may offer more buses, trains or affordable flights to actually get to school. The Western Carolina University campus is in a rural setting in North Carolina.

Other Costs

When budgeting for college, don’t forget to consider personal expenses, like entertainment, clothes, furnishings and toiletries.

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Total Tuition and Expenses at Western Carolina University

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Now, let’s look at the breakdown of all expenses, to get a better idea of what is really costs to go to Western Carolina University.

Total Cost of Western Carolina University

What will the cost of attending Western Carolina University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2022 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$4,366
Out-of-State Tuition	$11,157
Room and Board	$9,087
Board Only	$4,387
Other expenses	$1,597

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

Western Carolina University’s tuition and fees change based on: •Course load for part-time students

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Western Carolina University Financial Aid

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The majority of Western Carolina University undergrads use financial aid to finance their education. In 2022, 5,318 of the 10,145 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. 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. Around 73% of Western Carolina University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Western Carolina University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $29,213 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$27,216
State Loans	$8,542
Private Loans	$20,599

Most Common Loans for Western Carolina University Students
Federal Loans	72%
State loans	1%
Private loans	8%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Western Carolina University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Western Carolina University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2022, Western Carolina University awarded 5,176 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $34.8 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $2.81 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Western Carolina University Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Western Carolina University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Western Carolina University was $9,291 in 2022. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Western Carolina University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus	$206
Net In-state, Off-campus	$4,797
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$16,288.16

What will attending Western Carolina University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families make more informed decisions about the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Western Carolina University's net cost calculator on their website.

Western Carolina University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Western Carolina University offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

Does Western Carolina University Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to make attending more affordable. Some schools offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

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Learn More About Western Carolina University

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