Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC · Public · offers Graduate degrees
82%Acceptance rate
$13,315Average net price / year
60%Graduation rate
$49,458Median earnings 10 yrs after entry
$21,868Median debt at graduation
10,024Undergraduates
Cost
- In-state tuition & fees
- $4,630
- Out-of-state tuition
- $8,630
- Total cost of attendance
- $19,992
- Room & board
- $12,354
- Books & supplies
- $800
- Average net price
- $13,315
Net price by family income
- $0–30k
- $8,816
- $30–48k
- $10,012
- $48–75k
- $12,605
- $75–110k
- $17,060
- $110k+
- $17,992
Admissions
- Acceptance rate
- 81.8%
- Average SAT
- 1157
- SAT reading (25–75%)
- 560–660
- SAT math (25–75%)
- 520–610
- ACT composite (25–75%)
- 19–25
Outcomes
- Graduation rate
- 60%
- First-year retention
- 79%
- Median earnings (6 yrs)
- $43,085
- Median earnings (10 yrs)
- $49,458
- Median debt (graduates)
- $21,868
- 3-year loan default rate
- 0.0%
- Students with Pell grants
- 35%
- Students with federal loans
- 44%
Programs: what graduates earn
65 of 109 programs have published earnings or debt data. Earnings are median salaries of graduates one year after completing the program (or the latest available year).
Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
| Program | Graduates | Earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 38 | $106,628 | $36,847 |
| Construction Engineering Technology/Technician | 25 | $87,408 | — |
| Health Professions Education, Ethics, and Humanities | — | $79,115 | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 52 | $73,460 | $28,117 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 19 | $66,432 | $16,418 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 12 | $64,148 | $22,410 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | 49 | $59,947 | $22,818 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 31 | $59,078 | $14,240 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | 4 | $54,682 | — |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | 27 | $53,673 | $41,000 |
| Public Administration | 22 | $52,126 | $26,000 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 29 | $49,923 | — |
| Education, General | 27 | $47,964 | $22,137 |
| Social Work | 69 | $47,280 | $25,807 |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services | 41 | $40,079 | $41,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | 13 | $29,855 | — |
| Marketing | 9 | $58,995 | — |
Doctoral degree
| Program | Graduates | Earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | — | $72,019 | $69,085 |
Students
- Undergraduates
- 10,024
- Graduate students
- 1,879
- Part-time
- 18%
- Women / men
- 58% / 42%
- White
- 75%
- Hispanic
- 9%
- Black
- 7%
- Asian
- 1%
- International
- 2%
Faculty & school
- Student–faculty ratio
- 16:1
- Avg faculty salary
- $81,621 / year
- Full-time faculty
- 74%
- Accreditor
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Website
- www.wcu.edu
- Also known as
- Western
Most popular fields
- Education – 7% of degrees
- Engineering Technologies – 5% of degrees
- Biological Sciences – 3% of degrees
- Parks, Recreation & Fitness – 2% of degrees
- Physical Sciences – 3% of degrees
- Psychology – 6% of degrees
Frequently asked questions
What is the acceptance rate at Western Carolina University?
81.8% of applicants were admitted, and admitted students averaged 1157 on the SAT.
How much does Western Carolina University cost?
The average net price after grants is $13,315 per year; in-state tuition and fees are $4,630 and the full cost of attendance is $19,992.
How much do Western Carolina University graduates earn?
Students who enrolled earn a median of $49,458 ten years later. See the program table above for salaries by major.
What is the graduation rate?
60% of first-time, full-time students graduate within 150% of normal time.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, June 2026 release.