Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Cullowhee, North Carolina |
| Online | wcu.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Distant Town |
| Size | Mid-size |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Western Carolina University is situated in the rural mountain town of Cullowhee, North Carolina, approximately 50 miles southwest of Asheville in the Great Smoky Mountains. The 600-acre campus features a mix of modern and traditional brick buildings nestled in the Tuckasegee River Valley, with academic facilities concentrated around a central campus area. Established in 1889 as a teaching college, WCU has evolved into a comprehensive public university within the University of North Carolina system, offering undergraduate and graduate programs with particular strength in nursing, engineering, education, and natural resource management. The university maintains a selective admission process and provides on-campus housing in multiple residential communities for its predominantly undergraduate student population. As a member of the Southern Conference, WCU's Catamounts compete in NCAA Division I athletics, with notable programs in track and field and football.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
WCU is rated within the lower 42% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 5 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Western Carolina University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#742 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#259 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#23 in Best Colleges in North Carolina
#10 in Best Public Colleges in North Carolina
#118 in Best Value Colleges in North Carolina
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1050/1260 |
| ACT | 20/26 |
| GPA | 3.44 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Mar 1, 2026 |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $65 |
Annual Cost to Attend
North Carolina Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $693 |
| Other Fees | $3,532 |
| Room and Board | $11,764 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,330 |
| Total One Year Cost | $20,319 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $693 |
| Other Fees | $3,532 |
| Room and Board | $11,764 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,330 |
| Total One Year Cost | $24,319 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Education | 20% |
| Health Professions | 16% |
| Business | 14% |
| Engineering Technology | 8% |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting | 6% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering WCU are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=200004 IPEDS survey data for Western Carolina University.
Current students may use the Western Carolina University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025