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© 2025 Tuition Covered. All Rights Reserved.

Western Carolina University

Public
Cullowhee, NC
Town
OverviewTuition & CostsReturn on EducationAdmissionsMajors & DegreesStudentsReviews
  1. Colleges
  2. Catalog
  3. Western Carolina University

Estimated Net Cost
Average for college across all majors
 

(per year)
$13k

Estimated Post Grad Salary
Average for college across all majors
 

(per year)
$45k

Return on Education

(post 4-year graduation)
Good
Western Carolina University is a public university located in Cullowhee, North Carolina, founded in 1889. Known for its strong programs in education, nursing, and business, it is recognized for its beautiful mountain setting and commitment to community engagement.

Pros

  • Beautiful campus and natural surroundings

  • Strong sense of community and school spirit

  • Affordable tuition rates compared to other universities

  • Diverse range of academic programs

Cons

  • Limited urban amenities and nightlife

  • Smaller size may limit networking opportunities

  • Less recognition outside the region

  • Fewer research opportunities compared to larger universities

Tuition and Costs

Most Recent Tuition Costs

Understanding Tuition Costs at Western Carolina University: Navigating college expenses doesn't have to be complicated. Our comprehensive guide to tuition, fees, and other associated costs breaks down everything you need to know about financing your education at Western Carolina University. Find out how we make higher education affordable and what financial options are available to you.

Yearly4 years
Tuition and Fees
Average Tuition, including fees before grants and scholarships.
 
$4,532$18,128
Room and Board
This is the average, based on staying on-campus
 
$11,764$47,056
Books and Supplies
The expenditure on books and supplies for an average student at Western Carolina University
 
$693$2,772
Other expenses
The amount of money (estimated by the financial aid office at Western Carolina University) needed by a student to cover expenses such as laundry, transportation, entertainment, and furnishings.
 
$3,330$13,320
Sticker Price$20,319$81,276

Historical Tuition Costs

Based on historical data, in-state tuition is expected to rise by approximately $119 per year over the next three years, reaching $5,821 in 2024, and $5,939 in 2025, and $6,058 in 2026.

Return On Education

Admissions

Western Carolina University admissions is not very selective with an acceptance rate of 85%. Typically, admitted students score between 1020-1240 on the SAT or 19-26 on the ACT. The application deadline can be found the the institutions website.

85%Admission Rate
61%Graduation Rate

Admissions Requirements

SAT Range
1020 - 1240
ACT Range19 - 26
High School GPA

N/A

Key dates

Application DeadlineSee college website
Early Decision DateSee college website
Early Action DateSee college website

Majors & Degrees

Sciences⌄
ProgramGraduatesEst. Median Earnings
PsychologyN/A$0k
Education⌄
ProgramGraduatesEst. Median Earnings
Education AdministrationN/A$60k
TeachingN/A$0k
Physical EducationN/A$0k
Social Work⌄
ProgramGraduatesEst. Median Earnings
Student CounselingN/A$46k
Medical⌄
ProgramGraduatesEst. Median Earnings
Registered Nursing (RN)N/A$111k
Business⌄
ProgramGraduatesEst. Median Earnings
Human Resource ManagementN/A$72k
MarketingN/A$0k

Student Life

Key information regarding Western Carolina University's total enrollment and faculty.

Student Breakdown

Total Enrollment2,103
Full-time Students2,082
Part-time Students21

Faculty

Faculty-Student Ratio:16:1
Full-Time FacultyN/A
Part-Time FacultyN/A

Reviews and Ratings

For complete transparency we combine scores from across the web to give you a true picture of what students think about Western Carolina University. Additionally, we have our own score which can be used alongside these external sources.

No reviews available.

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Investing in higher education is a pivotal step towards future prosperity. It's essential to weigh the upfront costs against the potential for increased lifetime earnings and career opportunities. Our ROEdu score aims to help you understand tuition, living expenses, and financial aid, alongside the long-term benefits of earning a degree. By making informed decisions about where and what you study, you can maximize the return on your educational investment, turning the cost of your degree into a foundation for future success and financial security.

RoEDU
667
At Western Carolina University, the ROEdu is deemed fair, reflecting that graduates tend to achieve earnings and opportunities that are on par with their investment in education.