Western Carolina University
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and families looking for lower cost. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 10,024 students.
About This School
Western Carolina University is a public institution located in Cullowhee, North Carolina with approximately 10,024 undergraduate students enrolled. Western Carolina University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 82%. The average net price after financial aid is $13,315 per year. The graduation rate is 60%, and the typical graduate earns $41,300 within 10 years of enrollment.
Western Carolina University (WCU) is a public university in Cullowhee, North Carolina, United States. It is part of the University of North Carolina system.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: the $12,579 average net price is genuinely affordable, and graduating with only $15,348 in median debt is a real advantage — but a 59% graduation rate means roughly 4 in 10 students don't finish, which is worth asking about seriously. Median earnings of $41,300 a decade out are modest, so this school makes the most sense if you're pursuing a specific program WCU is known for, like education, nursing, or the arts, rather than attending without a clear direction. Worth considering if the price is right for your family and you have a concrete plan — less so as a default choice.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 13% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (10,024 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in North Carolina
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Raleigh, NC · Public
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte, NC · Public
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC · Public
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC · Public
Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, NC · Public
Appalachian State University
Boone, NC · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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