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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, Western Carolina University is a public comprehensive higher education institution. This school follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 81%. The freshman retention rate at Western Carolina University is 79.11% and the six-year graduation rate is 60%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is February 1. The transfer application deadline is April 1.
Explore this school's profile to find out all the important things about Western Carolina University.
Quick Facts
10,112
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
16:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
60%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
Learning as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission maximizes your chances of getting admitted. Check out some important information about admission at Western Carolina University.
According to the most recent data, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 16,138 in 2025.
Test Scores
Out of the number of those who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 6% and ACT scores 19%. 3.6% of the new students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 43.2% between 1,200 and 1,399, 43.2% between 1,000 and 1,199, and 10% of the students between 800 and 999. The percent of incoming freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 6.9, 35 between 24-29, 43.8 in the range between 18-23, 14 between 12-17, and 0.03 between 6-11.
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.43. That means you'll most likely need an above-average GPA to get accepted.
Deadlines
The final day for applications to this school is February 1. For transfer students, note that the application deadline is April 1.
Retention Rate
The percentage of new students at a college or university who stay on for their second year is known as the freshman retention rate. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Western Carolina University was 79.11%, a clear indication of the excellence and value of the educational experience at this school.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. At this school, the rate of students graduating within six years is 60%.
Student Body
Figuring out which school is the right fit for you is not a task you should take lightly. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a better idea of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the school enrolled 11,686 students.
That year, the institution had 17.98% of out-of-state students. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 10,112, 169 of which were international students. 1,003 students were accepted as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 3,871 male and 5,295 female full-time students in 2025. 249 full-time graduate men and 616 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
The significance of student diversity cannnot be denied, when it comes to the overall feeling of inclusion and beloning among the students of any school. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
This school had 128 Asian students and 666 Afro-American students in 2025. 876 undergraduates at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 443 identified with more than one race. The school also had 8 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 89 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 82 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to think about before applying to any college or university. Here are some data on the expenses that most students at this institution have.
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 students who don't live in the state in which the university is located, the tuition was $5,000 in 2025. Tuition costs at Western Carolina University for international students came to $5,000. Fees per academic year required of full-time students summed up to $3,685 in 2025.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $5,000 | $3,685 | $8,685 |
| In-State | $1,000 | $3,685 | $4,685 |
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to take into account the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. Most students have to allocate about $398 for books and supplies during their time at Western Carolina University.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for lodging and meals?
In 2025, the price of room and board at Western Carolina University was $11,745 per academic year. If you only wanted a dormitory room, it cost $6,896 for the 2025 academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $13,158.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 1,000 |
| Room and Board | $ 11,745 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 398 |
| Total Expense | $ 13,143 |
Financial Aid
Obtaining some financial help in forms of grants, loans, scholarships or work-study programs can be vital for finishing your studies. Check out some recent data to get the information about need-based and non-need-based aid available at Western Carolina University.
According to the most recent data, 1,306 freshmen were awarded financial aid. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $10,018.
Need-based
Need-based aid is financial aid that a student can receive if they are determened to have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria.
4,650 students were granted some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Western Carolina University is available to international students. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need ended up being 4,833. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution added up to $19,212,761, and state $4,359,701. The students of Western Carolina University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $8,297,989, and external in the amount of $1,964,511.
$3,101
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 1,098 students overall (including freshmen) at Western Carolina University in 2025. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 322 full-time freshmen. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $19,212,761 while the state aid is $96,348. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $2,074,513. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $1,540,493 USD.
Majors
Faculty
16:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Western Carolina University was 16:1: that means 16 students per one teacher. This school has recently reported to have 797 faculty members. Out of that number, there were 363 male and 434 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at Western Carolina University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at Western Carolina University: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Find out some details about campus life at Western Carolina University.
Its campus spans 682 acres.
Student Organizations
Engaging with a variety of student organizations can enrich your educational experience and make it more rewarding.
Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. Those who like music can join the Western Carolina University band or chorus. For those interested in acting, there is a drama club you can become part of. Interested in media and communication? Western Carolina University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
Western Carolina University has a number of services vital for a pleasant and secure life on campus.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. The school has electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a security patrol available 24/7. There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. All in all, campus life at Western Carolina University is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
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
There are a job bank and job fairs.
FAQ
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Western Carolina University is located in Cullowhee, NC.
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Western Carolina University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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The most recent reported acceptance rate for Western Carolina University is 81%.
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According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for Western Carolina University is 79.11%.
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.
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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.