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WC
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NCPublicTown Setting
Open Admission • 82% Acceptance
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Overview & Identity
Western Carolina University is a public institution located in the town setting of Cullowhee, NC. The university supports an undergraduate student body of 10.0K students and has an admission acceptance rate of 82%.
Quick Facts
Institution Type
Public
Student Population
10.0K (Large)
Admissions Selectivity
82% (Open Admission)
Predominant Degree
Bachelor's
Locale / Setting
Town
Admissions & Academics
Admitted Student Scores
SAT Reading560 - 660
200typical 50% range800
SAT Math520 - 610
200typical 50% range800
ACT Composite19 - 25
1typical 50% range36
82%
Acceptance Rate
Open Admission
Top Majors & Programs
Health Sciences22% of degrees
Business & Marketing21% of degrees
Social Sciences4% of degrees
Biological Sciences3% of degrees
Engineering2% of degrees
Programs / Fields of Study
Program
Credential
Earnings 4yr
Earnings 5yr
Debt
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.
Credential: Master's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $122,811
Earnings 5yr: $120,469
Debt: N/A
Business Administration, Management and Operations.
Credential: Master's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $100,807
Earnings 5yr: $81,402
Debt: N/A
Computer Science.
Credential: Bachelor's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $86,853
Earnings 5yr: $93,802
Debt: $27,000
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician.
Credential: Bachelor's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $83,954
Earnings 5yr: $85,272
Debt: $27,000
Engineering, General.
Credential: Bachelor's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $82,500
Earnings 5yr: N/A
Debt: $25,550
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.
Credential: Bachelor's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $79,533
Earnings 5yr: $72,955
Debt: $23,163
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians.
Credential: Bachelor's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $79,441
Earnings 5yr: N/A
Debt: $23,154
Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General.
Credential: Bachelor's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $78,801
Earnings 5yr: $66,644
Debt: $25,250
Human Resources Management and Services.
Credential: Master's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $77,673
Earnings 5yr: $73,132
Debt: N/A
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions.
Credential: Doctoral Degree
Earnings 4yr: $77,060
Earnings 5yr: $77,275
Debt: N/A
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness.
Credential: Master's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $77,046
Earnings 5yr: N/A
Debt: N/A
Accounting and Related Services.
Credential: Master's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $75,418
Earnings 5yr: $70,581
Debt: N/A
Public Administration.
Credential: Master's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $72,948
Earnings 5yr: $61,074
Debt: N/A
Health Professions Education, Ethics, and Humanities.
Credential: Master's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $71,161
Earnings 5yr: N/A
Debt: N/A
Public Administration.
Credential: Bachelor's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $70,331
Earnings 5yr: $61,307
Debt: $18,375
Educational Administration and Supervision.
Credential: Master's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $68,241
Earnings 5yr: $68,759
Debt: N/A
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.
Credential: Bachelor's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $65,010
Earnings 5yr: $57,020
Debt: $23,835
Health and Medical Administrative Services.
Credential: Master's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $63,641
Earnings 5yr: $57,280
Debt: N/A
Management Information Systems and Services.
Credential: Bachelor's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $62,128
Earnings 5yr: $77,089
Debt: $23,000
Public Health.
Credential: Bachelor's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $61,698
Earnings 5yr: $59,893
Debt: $26,343
Tuition & Cost Portrait
Avg Net Price$13,315
In-State Tuition$4,630
Out-of-State Tuition$8,630
Net Price DifferentiatorAverage Net Price is what typical families actually pay out of pocket after receiving federal, state, and institutional grants and scholarships. It provides a more accurate metric of affordability than the sticker tuition.
Financial Assistance & Support
35%
Pell Grants
44%
Take Loans
59%
Repayment
Student Outcomes & ROI
Earnings Milestones Post-Graduation
6 Years Post-Entry
$43,085
+15% growth
10 Years Post-Entry
$49,458
Completion Signals
60%
Graduation Rate
4-Year Completion
79%
Retention Rate
1st-to-2nd Year Return
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,348
Est. Monthly Payment
$166/mo
Based on standard 10yr path
Campus & Demographics
Student Demographics & Community
Diversity Mix
Hover or tap a bubble above to explore detailed community insights.
Gender Balance
42%
Men58%
WomenThe campus gender distribution displays a split of 42% men and 58% women.
Student Vitals
First-Gen Share
33%
Part-Time Share
18%
Avg Family Income
$59,991
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