Western Carolina University — Profile, Admissions, Costs & Programs

86.7%

Acceptance Rate

9,867

Undergrads

$12,579

Net Price / Year

59.1%

Grad Rate

N/A

Median Earnings (10yr)

About Western Carolina University

Western Carolina University is a public 4-year institution located in Cullowhee, NC. The school enrolls approximately 11,686 students. With an acceptance rate of 86.7%, it admits most applicants.

Additional details coming soon.

Enrollment

Total Students 11,686

Men 4,769

Women 6,917

Quick Stats

Pell Grant Recipients 32.9%

Retention Rate (FT, 2024) 79%

3-yr Loan Default Rate 0.0%

Accreditations

American Psychological Association,... National Association of Schools of... American Speech-Language-Hearing... Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics,... American Physical Therapy... Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Admissions Data

86.7%

Acceptance Rate

19,742

Applications

2,052

Enrolled

Test Score Ranges (25th–75th percentile)

SAT Evidence-Based Reading & Writing

560

660

SAT Math

520

610

ACT Composite

Admissions Trend

Year	Applications	Admitted	Enrolled	Admit Rate
2024	19,742	16,154	2,052	81.8%
2022	17,917	15,201	1,932	84.8%
2020	15,036	7,290	1,823	48.5%
2018	19,344	7,672	2,198	39.7%
2016	18,297	7,445	1,924	40.7%

Costs & Financial Aid

$12,579

Average Net Price / Year

After grants and scholarships

32.9%

Pell Grant Recipients

N/A

Median Student Debt

Outcomes & Career Data

N/A

Median Earnings (10yr)

59.1%

Graduation Rate

N/A

3-yr Loan Repayment Rate

Programs Offered

50 programs · bachelor's degrees · sorted by completers

Major	Completers/yr	Median Earnings	Median Debt
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	196	N/A	N/A
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	178	N/A	N/A
Psychology, General.	163	N/A	N/A
Criminal Justice and Corrections.	150	N/A	N/A
Marketing.	131	N/A	N/A
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods.	99	N/A	N/A
Biology, General.	97	N/A	N/A
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.	68	N/A	N/A
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas.	63	N/A	N/A
Finance and Financial Management Services.	63	N/A	N/A
Chemistry.	57	N/A	N/A
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	57	N/A	N/A
Communication and Media Studies.	55	N/A	N/A
Social Work.	55	N/A	N/A
Engineering Technology, General.	52	N/A	N/A
Educational Administration and Supervision.	51	N/A	N/A
Human Resources Management and Services.	50	N/A	N/A
Social Work.	49	N/A	N/A
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	48	N/A	N/A
Education, General.	48	N/A	N/A
Public Administration.	45	N/A	N/A
History.	43	N/A	N/A
Accounting and Related Services.	43	N/A	N/A
Management Information Systems and Services.	42	N/A	N/A
Student Counseling and Personnel Services.	41	N/A	N/A
Hospitality Administration/Management.	39	N/A	N/A
English Language and Literature, General.	38	N/A	N/A
Political Science and Government.	38	N/A	N/A
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services.	37	N/A	N/A
Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management.	36	N/A	N/A
Anthropology.	34	N/A	N/A
Engineering, General.	34	N/A	N/A
Music.	33	N/A	N/A
Fine and Studio Arts.	32	N/A	N/A
Health and Physical Education/Fitness.	32	N/A	N/A
Health and Medical Administrative Services.	32	N/A	N/A
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	31	N/A	N/A
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics.	29	N/A	N/A
Sociology.	29	N/A	N/A
Construction Engineering Technologies.	29	N/A	N/A
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions.	28	N/A	N/A
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions.	26	N/A	N/A
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.	26	N/A	N/A
Design and Applied Arts.	26	N/A	N/A
Construction Engineering Technologies.	25	N/A	N/A
Health and Physical Education/Fitness.	24	N/A	N/A
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services.	24	N/A	N/A
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication.	23	N/A	N/A
Natural Resources Management and Policy.	22	N/A	N/A
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General.	21	N/A	N/A

Athletics Program

$16,052,292

Total Athletics Expenses

$16,052,292

Total Athletics Revenue

383

Total Student Athletes

Sport	Gender	Participants	Expenses	Revenues	Head Coach Salary
Football	Men	123	$4,980,032	$4,980,032	N/A
Basketball	Coed	30	$2,404,586	$2,404,586	N/A
Baseball	Men	40	$760,117	$760,117	N/A
Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)	Coed	205	$678,614	$678,614	N/A
Golf	Coed	15	$539,812	$539,812	N/A
Soccer	Women	31	$399,277	$399,277	N/A
Softball	Women	16	$386,232	$386,232	N/A
Volleyball	Women	17	$284,729	$284,729	N/A
Tennis	Women	8	$117,736	$117,736	N/A

Campus Safety (Clery Act)

Reported criminal offenses per federal Clery Act disclosure requirements, 2021-2023.

Offense Type	Total Reported
Rape	87
Fondling	60
Aggravated Assault	27
Burglary	24
Arson	12
Motor Vehicle Theft	8
Robbery	1