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Western Carolina University

Public

Cullowhee, NC

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Western Carolina University is a public large school in Cullowhee, NC, enrolling about 10,024 undergraduates. Western Carolina University is not highly selective, admitting a majority of applicants, with an acceptance rate near 82%. Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services graduates, especially in Computer Science, report the strongest earnings here: a median of $86,853/year. Most students arrange their own housing since on-campus living isn't required.

Admissions

Admit rate82%
SAT range1080–1270
ACT range19–25
Undergrads10,024
Yield (admits who enroll)13%
Next deadlineNov 1, 2026 (EA)

Cost & outcomes

Cost of attendance$19,992
4-year grad rate60%
Median earnings, 10yr out$49,458

From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field.

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See full profile -- financial aid, campus life, and what Western Carolina University weighs in your application

Paying it back

Undergrads taking federal loans44%
Loan balance still growing, 3yrs out59%

"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.

Majors & earnings

Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Biology, General$50,180/yr
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
Management Information Systems and Services$62,128/yr
Accounting and Related Services$61,346/yr
Finance and Financial Management Services$58,076/yr
Business Administration, Management and Operations$57,713/yr
Marketing$56,568/yr
Hospitality Administration/Management$49,798/yr
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication$43,954/yr
Communication and Media Studies$43,322/yr
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Computer Science$86,853/yr
Education
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas$48,232/yr
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$47,105/yr
Special Education and Teaching$47,031/yr
Engineering
Engineering, General$82,500/yr
Engineering Technologies and Engineering-Related Fields
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician$83,954/yr
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians$79,441/yr
Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General$78,801/yr
English Language and Literature/Letters
English Language and Literature, General$45,079/yr
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics$40,744/yr
Health Professions and Related Programs
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$79,533/yr
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions$65,010/yr
Public Health$61,698/yr
Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services$53,622/yr
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services$52,183/yr
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions$49,898/yr
History
History$42,698/yr
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services
Criminal Justice and Corrections$55,903/yr
Security Science and Technology$54,246/yr
Mathematics and Statistics
Mathematics$59,885/yr
Natural Resources and Conservation
Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy$49,834/yr
Natural Resources Conservation and Research$40,831/yr
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness$50,761/yr
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management$41,786/yr
Physical Sciences
Chemistry$51,213/yr
Psychology
Psychology, General$48,350/yr
Public Administration and Social Service Professions
Public Administration$70,331/yr
Social Work$50,025/yr
Social Sciences
Political Science and Government$52,077/yr
Sociology$46,195/yr
Anthropology$45,809/yr
Visual and Performing Arts
Design and Applied Arts$58,467/yr
Music$44,014/yr
Fine and Studio Arts$43,029/yr
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft$34,516/yr

Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.

Campus life

On-campus housingYes
Required to live on campusNo
Dormitory capacity4,347
Typical room charge$6,475
Typical board charge$5,029

Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.

What matters in your application

GPARequired
Class rankConsidered, not required
RecommendationsConsidered, not required

From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.

Frequently asked questions

What is Western Carolina University's acceptance rate?

Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC admits approximately 82% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.

What SAT score do I need for Western Carolina University?

Admitted students at Western Carolina University typically score between 1080–1270 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile).

What ACT score do I need for Western Carolina University?

Admitted students at Western Carolina University typically score between 19–25 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile).

How much does Western Carolina University cost?

Western Carolina University's total cost of attendance is reported at $19,992 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.

When is the application deadline for Western Carolina University?

Western Carolina University's earliest deadline is Nov 1, 2026 (EA), per its own published admissions calendar.

Does Western Carolina University require students to live on campus?

No -- Western Carolina University doesn't require students to live in on-campus housing.

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