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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 educational institution operates on 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.
Here are some essential information on important things to consider about Western Carolina University.
Quick Facts
10,112
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
16:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
60%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you know as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission, you can make a better judgment about your eligibility and boost your chances of getting accepted. Read on to learn some vital information about admission at Western Carolina University.
According to the newest data, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 16,138 in 2025.
Test Scores
6% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 19% submitted ACT scores, out of the total number of those who submitted test scores. 3.6% of the first-year 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% between 800 and 999. The percent of 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 that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into Western Carolina University.
Deadlines
The last day for submitting applications to Western Carolina University is February 1. If considering applying as a transfer student, note that the application deadline is April 1.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is the percentage of college or university newcomers who return for their sophomore year. 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.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. It provides valuable insight into the percentage of students who complete their studies within a designated timeframe. This academic institution has the six-year graduation rate of 60%.
Student Body
It is never easy to figure out which school is the right fit for you. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by learning more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at Western Carolina University in 2025 was 11,686.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 17.98% for that year. There was a total of 10,112 those pursuing undergraduate studies, including 169 international students. The number of transfer students at this school was 1,003.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 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
Higer Education is committed to expanding the diversity of its student body and improving students' sense of inclusion and belonging. A diverse student body brings together individuals from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Western Carolina University.
This school had 128 Asian students and 666 Afro-American students in 2025. 876 undergraduate students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 443 as multirace. The school also had 8 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 89 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 82 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before you submit an application to any college or university, you should take into account the financial component. The latest information on the expenses that most students at this school incur are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition price for this university.
If you are an area resident, your tuition was $1,000. For out-of-state students, tuition fees amounted to $5,000. For the students coming from abroad, tuition at this school was $5,000, as well. Fees per academic year required of full-time students came to a total of $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
The estimated cost of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into consideration as another significant expense. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $398.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. How much do room and board fees average around at schools?
In 2025, room and board cost at Western Carolina University amounted to $11,745 a year. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school amounted to $6,896, according to the data from 2025. 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
There are different types of financial support: grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get the info about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid students could get at Western Carolina University.
The most recent records show that 1,306 freshmen received some sort of financial help. Students of this school received an average of $10,018 in financial help.
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 secured 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 was found to be 4,833. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution reached $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
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. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
1,098 students, including freshmen, obtained institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this school in 2025. 322 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $19,212,761 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $96,348. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants 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
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio represents the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
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 info about campus life at Western Carolina University.
It has a campus size of 682 acres.
Student Organizations
A student organization is run by students at a university or a college institution, whose membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.
Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. Students who like music can join the Western Carolina University band or chorus. There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. For students 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 needed for a comfortable and secure life on campus.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a round-the-clock security patrol. There is a medical 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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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Western Carolina University is 81%.
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The most recent data indicate that 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.
