Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC
Western Carolina University, located in Cullowhee, North Carolina, is a public university that offers undergraduate and graduate programs in a variety of fields. Established in 1889, WCU has a rich history of providing high-quality education to its students. The university is known for its strong commitment to student success and engagement, offering a vibrant campus community with numerous extracurricular activities and organizations.
One of the defining features of Western Carolina University is its emphasis on experiential learning. WCU believes in providing its students with hands-on experiences that complement their academic learning. Through internships, co-ops, fieldwork, and other real-world opportunities, students gain valuable practical experience and develop the skills needed for success in their chosen careers. Additionally, the universityÆs location in the picturesque Smoky Mountains provides a unique natural laboratory for programs such as environmental science, outdoor leadership, and natural resource conservation.
Western Carolina University prides itself on its commitment to collaborate with local communities and address pressing regional needs. WCU maintains strong partnerships with businesses, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations, allowing students to engage in community-based research and service-learning projects. This commitment to community engagement extends to the universityÆs outreach and extension programs, which provide resources, support, and educational opportunities for residents of Western North Carolina. With a student-centered approach to education, a beautiful natural environment, and a focus on community engagement, Western Carolina University offers a well-rounded and enriching college experience.
Located in Cullowhee, NC and set in a rural environment, Western Carolina University is a public university. Its campus spans 682 acres. This educational institution operates on a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 84%. The freshman retention rate at Western Carolina University is 71.3% and the six-year graduation rate is 61%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is March 1. The transfer application deadline is June 1.
Here are some current data on important things to consider about Western Carolina University.
Quick Facts
9,956
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
84%
Acceptance Rate
11:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
61%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to find out as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the school in order to improve your chances of being accepted. What are the admission requirements for Western Carolina University?
According to the most recent information reported, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 15,203 in 2023. Western Carolina University has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores if the applicant decides to submit them. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
Out of the number of applicants who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 9% and ACT scores 28%. 4% of the freshmen submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 30.3% between 1,200 and 1,399, 48.3% between 1,000 and 1,199, and 17.4% of the students between 800 and 999. The percent of freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 8.8, 29.2 between 24-29, 44.3 in the range between 18-23, 17.3 between 12-17, and 0.4 between 6-11.
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.41. This implies that you'll probably need a GPA above the average to secure admission.
Deadlines
The cutoff date for submitting applications to Western Carolina University is March 1. For transfer students, the application deadline is June 1.
84%
Acceptance Rate
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is the percentage of college or university first-year students who return for their sophomore year. That information can tell you if the majority of freshmen liked their first year enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for Western Carolina University was 71.3% in 2023, demonstrating the exceptional quality of the educational experience at this institution.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. This academic institution has the six-year graduation rate of 61%.
Student Body
Deciding if a school is the right fit for you is not an easy task. Having a better insight into a school's student body helps you learn more about its culture and life.
Main Student Body
In 2023, the school enrolled 11,635 students.
That year, the institution had 15% of students coming from another state. There was a total of 9,956 undergraduate students, including 176 international students. The number of transfer students at this school was 1,044.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 3,775 male and 5,121 female full-time students in 2023. This school had 249 full-time graduate male and 616 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
In order to promote a sense of inclusion and belonging among its students, higher education is dedicated to increasing student diversity. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Western Carolina University.
In 2023, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 129, while the number of African American students was 603. 782 undergrads at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 355 identified with more than one race. The school also had 14 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 91 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 111 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to consider before applying to any college or university. Here are some details you should know about the expenses at Western Carolina University that the majority of students face.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at Western Carolina University? Here is what you need to know.
According to the reports from public county and municipal institutions, tuition fees were $1,000 for area residents. For out-of-state students, tuition fees amounted to $5,000. If you are an international student at Western Carolina University, you should know that the 2023 tuition was $5,000, as well. Fees per academic year required of full-time students amounted to $5,835 in 2023.
Tuition | Fees | Total | |
---|---|---|---|
Out-of-State | $5,000 | $5,835 | $10,835 |
In-State | $1,000 | $5,835 | $6,835 |
Books and Supplies
The approximate cost of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into account as another important financial element. Most students have to set aside about $621 for books and supplies during their time at Western Carolina University.
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. What do colleges and universities typically charge for room and board?
In 2023, room and board cost at Western Carolina University amounted to $10,537 a year. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2023 came to $6,150 for one academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $6,710.
Tuition | $ 1,000 |
Room and Board | $ 10,537 |
Book and Supplies | $ 621 |
Total Expense | $ 12,158 |
Financial Aid
Financial aid for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get the information about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid available at Western Carolina University.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 1,052 freshmen. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $10,127.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
There were 4,895 students who received need-based financial aid of any kind. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Western Carolina University is available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need came to be 4,903. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution summed up to $22,382,079, and state $4,590,117. The students of Western Carolina University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $7,376,698, and external in the amount of $1,831,207.
$1,374
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
1,180 students, including freshmen, got institutional non-need-based financial aid at this school in 2023. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 270 full-time freshman. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $22,382,079 while the state aid is $2,234,559. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $1,051,971. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $905,538 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
11:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
In 2023, this ratio at Western Carolina University was 11:1. That means that there were 11 times more students than teachers at this school. The faculty of this school consists of 533 members, according to the most recent data reported. This number included 375 male and 412 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at Western Carolina University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at Western Carolina University is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Check out some info about campus life at Western Carolina University.
Student Organizations
Participating in multiple student organizations can add depth and fulfillment to your educational journey.
This school has 165 open-membership student organizations you can participate in. Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. Students who have a talent for music can join the Western Carolina University band or chorus. If acting is an interest of yours, there is a drama club you can join. You have a talent for media and communication? Western Carolina University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At Western Carolina University, there are many amenities that make life on campus pleasant and safe.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a security patrol that operates around the clock. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of Western Carolina University.
All in all, campus life at Western Carolina University is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Western Carolina University.
Career Counselling
At Western Carolina University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students.
FAQ
-
Western Carolina University is located in Cullowhee, NC.
-
Western Carolina University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
-
This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
-
The most recent reported acceptance rate for Western Carolina University is 84%.
-
The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for Western Carolina University is 71.3%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
Find the best schools for you.
Need help with choosing grad school? We got you.
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.