Western Carolina University campus

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WCU Demographics & Diversity

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

Racial Diversity

Racial Diversity

Low

Racial Diversity Index: 34%

Racial diversity is the chance that two students chosen at random are from different racial or ethnic groups, using the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index. Students at WCU are mostly White with a small Black population. The school has low racial diversity. 21% percent of students are minorities or people of color (BIPOC). The ethnic breakdown is detailed in the following table.

Racial demographics of Western Carolina University students
Race Percent of Students
White
79%
Black
6%
Hispanic
6%
Asian
1%
American Indian / Alaskan
1%
Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
0%
Two or more races
4%
International
1%
Race Unknown
1%

Gender Demographics & Diversity

Gender Diversity

Gender Diversity

Very High

Gender Diversity Index: 48%

There are 45% more female students than male students enrolled at Western Carolina University with a gender ratio of 59% women to 41% men. Compared to the US average of 56% female students, WCU has a higher gender diversity than other US colleges and is very inclusive of both genders.

Male to female gender ratio for Western Carolina University students
Gender Percent of Students
Men
41%
Women
59%
Enrollment by gender for Western Carolina University students
Gender Number of Students
Men
4,769
Women
6,917

Geographic Diversity

Geographic Diversity

Geographic Diversity

Very Low

Geographic Diversity Index: 23%

WCU draws 75 percent of students from North Carolina, 22 percent from other states, and 0 percent from other countries. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside North Carolina, including other U.S. states and other countries.

Enrollment by geographic location for Western Carolina University students
Origin Percent of Students
In State
75%
Out of State
22%
Foreign
0%
Unknown Location
2%

Economic Diversity

Median Household Income

Median Household Income

$56,230 per year

40% of students can be considered low-income as indicated by their receipt of Federal Pell Grant Aid.

Total Enrollment

Total Enrollment

Total enrollment

11,686
Share of undergraduates by age and part-time status
Segment Percent of Students
Students Over 25 Years Old 18.6%
Part-time undergraduates 13.9%

Other Colleges to Consider

Students applying to Western Carolina University often consider these colleges

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

Racial and gender diversity ratings use the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index (Gini-Simpson): the probability that two students chosen at random belong to different groups. See the Census method note, Measuring Racial and Ethnic Diversity for the 2020 Census. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside the college's home state (other U.S. states plus international). IPEDS does not publish enrollment by individual state of residence.

Last updated: August 2026