Western Carolina University

5/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
Cullowhee, NC
4.6 10 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

Overview Admission Cost Majors Diversity Outcomes Salaries Location Compare Reviews Admission Calculator

Overview

Total enrollment

11,686

Location Cullowhee, North Carolina
Website wcu.edu
Type Public 4 Year
Setting Distant Town

Size Mid-size
Status Non-profit
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.

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Ratings

WCU is rated within the lower 44% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 5 out of 10.

Overall Rating

5 out of 10
Academics

6 out of 10
Resources

4 out of 10
Outcomes

5 out of 10
Value

3 out of 10

Learn how ratings are calculated

Rankings

Rankings for Western Carolina University within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.

Best Colleges in the U.S.

#698
Best Public Colleges in the U.S.

#236
Best Colleges in North Carolina

#20
Best Public Colleges in North Carolina

#10
Best Value Colleges in North Carolina

#115

Learn how rankings are calculated

Admissions

Admission Standards

Moderate

SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1080/1270
ACT (enrolled mid-50) 19/25
GPA 3.44

Acceptance Rate

81.8%

Applications Due Mar 1, 2027
Enrollment Rate 12.7%
Application Fee $65

Applicant Competition Very Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

North Carolina Resident Tuition

$4,630

Out of State Resident Tuition

$8,630

Breakdown

Tuition $4,630
Books and Supplies $800
Other Fees $3,630
Room and Board $12,354
Budget for Other Expenses $3,381
Total One Year Cost $24,795

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Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$39,100 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

50% within 6 years

View Post Graduation Outcomes

Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Western Carolina University are Education, Health Professions, and Business. 20% of students major in Education, 16% in Health Professions, and 14% in Business.