WCU Ratings and Reviews

  • 5/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Cullowhee, NC
  • 4.6 10 reviews
#10 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

WCU Ratings and Reviews

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

Student Review Summary

4.6

Approved reviews

10 student reviews

9 out of 10 (90%) reviewers rated 4 stars or higher

Students rate Campus Safety highest and Party and Bar Scene lowest.

Rating snapshot

  • 5 stars
    7
  • 4 stars
    2
  • 3 stars
    1
  • 2 stars
    0
  • 1 star
    0

Average by category

  • Overall Rating
    4.6
  • Academics
    4.4
  • Value for Money
    4.6
  • Professors / Faculty
    4.7
  • Campus Atmosphere
    4.8
  • Housing
    4.2
  • Campus Safety
    5.0
  • Student Life
    4.0
  • Party and Bar Scene
    3.9

Student and Parent Reviews

If you are a student, former student, faculty member or parent, please help guide other prospective students by sharing your personal experiences at this college. What is it really like to go to Western Carolina University?

Nov 18, 2021
Rating 5 out of 5

Fun school, beautiful campus, good academics. Not much to do besides party on the weekend.

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May 13, 2019
Rating 4 out of 5

WCU is a lot of fun and there are lots of cool activities constantly held for the students. Since the classes are smaller class sizes attendance is very important and professors have no problem failing you but they are very personal and are always there to help (you just have to ask). The advisors are my favorite part as they guide me through any problem or question I may have. It's very fun and the students are very nice to each other. I've never felt unsafe on the campus. WCU was my backup school so if you're deciding where to go come visit the campus first you will fall in love, it was even rated one of the top adventure schools!

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Aug 2, 2018
Rating 5 out of 5

Western is an amazing school, unlike any other in the UNC system. It's a small(er) school with a real sense of community, yet big enough to provide the college experience. On the academic side, you can range from just getting by to truly challenging yourself. Look for ways to get involved early and the your time here will be well worth it.

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Jul 19, 2018
Rating 5 out of 5

WCU is an amazing school for the adventurous and fun. With plenty of outdoor sports and such to keep you busy on a good weather day and tons of on campus activities to keep you busy on the bad ones. The professors are dedicated and give you the one-on-one attention you need. Advisors are helpful and always available. Western makes the transition from home to college seamless and fun while pushing you to succeed. I love Western!!

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Feb 22, 2018
Rating 5 out of 5

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Sep 5, 2017
Rating 5 out of 5

Western Carolina is a phenomenal school! When I compare my college experience to my colleagues I am so thankful and feel fortunate to be a Catamount! I had better access and rapport to my class professor than I did in high school. The size of the campus and weather is untouchable in WNC. The Chancellor is involved in student life and visible on campus. I could continue to write about how great this school is and how well I was prepared for the real world.

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Jun 28, 2017
Rating 5 out of 5

Private school feel. Faculty is great! Campus just keeps getting better!

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Jun 28, 2017
Rating 5 out of 5

Faculty is amazing! Our campus is top notch. Even the older buildings have been renovated beautifully. I love this school- don't be discouraged by how far it it is. It's worth the drive!!!

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Jun 19, 2017
Rating 4 out of 5

Faculty care about your, unlike some large institutions with large class sizes you really do matter at WCU.

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Apr 25, 2017
Rating 3 out of 5

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Value for Money
Professors / Faculty
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Housing
Campus Safety
Dating and Social Life
Party and Bar Scene

Rate Western Carolina University

Share your ratings for WCU across academics, campus life, and more to help prospective students understand what it's really like to attend.

Your Overall Experience *

If a friend asked whether WCU was worth it, what would your gut say?

Academics *

Did classes challenge you and leave you feeling like you actually learned something?

Value for Money *

Considering tuition, aid, and what you got out of it, did the cost feel justified?

Professors and Faculty *

Were instructors accessible, engaged, and invested in students or mostly going through the motions?

Campus Atmosphere *

Did the campus feel welcoming and full of energy, or more like a place you simply passed through?

Student Housing *

Were dorms and residence halls somewhere you'd want to live, or a constant source of frustration?

Campus Safety *

Did you feel comfortable walking around at night, or did safety ever weigh on your mind?

Student Life *

Was it easy to find your people, make friends, and stay socially connected?

Party and Bar Scene *

Do weekends have a pulse here, or does the social scene quiet down once classes end?

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Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=200004.

Last updated: August 2026