About Western Carolina University

Founded in 1889, Western Carolina University. is a Public college. Located in North Carolina, which is a city setting in North Carolina, the campus itself is Town. The campus is home to 9,171 full time undergraduate students, and 1,634 full time graduate students.

The Western Carolina University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 17:1. There are 473 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Western Carolina University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate40%
Application Deadline
Application Fee65
SAT Range910-1120
ACT Range20-25

Admissions at WCU are considered More Selective, with ,56% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 11 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

79% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 40% were in the top quarter, and 15% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Western Carolina University.

2%
“We”re apathetic”
21%
“We know about current events and vote”
69%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
8%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
3%
“We save it for the classroom”
18%
“Sometimes, but not often”
59%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
20%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
5%
“I only go out in groups”
37%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
58%
“I feel extremely safe”
20%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
22%
“We bought the gear”
58%
“We live for the big game”
0%
“It”s not really our thing”
6%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
48%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
45%
“We”re a very artistic group”
3%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
66%
“They keep regular office hours”
31%
“They”re always available”
3%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
21%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
75%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
8%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
23%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
40%
“We only party on weekends”
29%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
8%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
65%
“There might be people who do”
21%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
6%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
2%
“We”re apathetic”
21%
“We know about current events and vote”
69%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
8%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
3%
“We save it for the classroom”
18%
“Sometimes, but not often”
59%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
20%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
5%
“I only go out in groups”
37%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
58%
“I feel extremely safe”
20%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
22%
“We bought the gear”
58%
“We live for the big game”
0%
“It”s not really our thing”
6%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
48%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
45%
“We”re a very artistic group”
3%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
66%
“They keep regular office hours”
31%
“They”re always available”
3%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
21%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
75%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
8%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
23%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
40%
“We only party on weekends”
29%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
8%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
65%
“There might be people who do”
21%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
6%
“There”s a huge drug scene”

Western Carolina University REVIEWS

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  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    127 Students rated on-campus housing 3.7 stars. 20 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    88 Students rated off-campus housing 3.7 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    128 Students rated campus food 3.2 stars. 16 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    129 Students rated campus facilities 4.3 stars. 44 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    129 Students rated class size 4.5 stars. 64 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    128 Students rated school activities 4.1 stars. 44 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    129 Students rated local services 3.5 stars. 26 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    129 Students rated academics 4.4 stars. 54 % gave the school a 5.0.

What's your overall opinion of Western Carolina University?

84 Students rated Western Carolina University

Abigail - 11/02/2023

I really enjoy it here and I love the scenery. It is so pretty here in the fall and I just love it. All my professors are fantastic and make me feel prepared for my career path. I would recommend people to come here because it has been an overall great experience for me.

Caleb - 08/16/2023

I absolutely love Western Carolina they are absolutely my number one choice. they have everything you could possibly want and as a school go above and beyond. I would absolutely recommend it to any students or friends. They are a perfect mix of anything you could possibly want. I am absolutely applying early so Western if you see this please let me in.

johan - 07/19/2023

As I head into my first year of college at western I can say I’m for sure excited for what’s to come for me and the upcoming class from what I’ve seen so far and the people I’ve meet and things I’ve done around campus it’s truly something I’m ready and excited for heading into the year now.

Margaret - 07/09/2023

I came to WCU in Fall 2022 and could not have had a better experience. I am fortunate to be an honors college student with a wonderful living situation on campus. On-campus living is required for the first two years of study at this university, and all the dorms (not just the honors ones) are very well kept, clean, and are within good walking distance everywhere on campus. I love the campus because it is not too big but not too small either. Class sizes are considerably small compared to other universities and the classroom atmosphere is generally very welcoming! Sports are not too big, but there are clubs and intramural teams that compete with one another for some friendly competition. The only downside to the campus is the location, which is in Cullowhee, NC. There is nothing in the town beside the university, so off-campus activities can be a hassle because everything that is worth your time will be in neighboring cities. The mountains are absolutely gorgeous, the weather is not too bad, and the students are just so nice. I love the environment WCU has created for itself!

Western Carolina University FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Western Carolina University?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Western Carolina University is 40%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    I think that students should pick the school that they will be happiest at. It will be difficult to be successful in a place where you are not comfortable or happy. Things such as what you will be studying and overall campus envirnment should be taken seriously as well. Schools that do not specialize in certain areas can still offer good programs but if you want to do something like engineering you should look at schools that have good programs. Students should take the oppertunity to visit several different colleges and get an overall feeling about the campus. Something else important is how far away the school is from home. If you are not comfortable not being able to drive home on the weekends then you are going to be miserable stuck on campus. Just remember that college is a once in a lifetime experience and you should do the research so you can make sure it is a good one.

    Read all  122 answers
  3. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    The only people that should not attend Western Carolina is a person who doesn't want to learn. College is a lot of hard work, but fun when taken seriously.

    Read all  31 answers
  4. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    That there wasnt really much to do in the surrounding area

    Read all  26 answers
  5. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    Western Carolina University is a wonderful college that focuses on the students and has outstanding faculty and staff, wonderful academics, and a diverse variety of activities to accomadate every student.

    Read all  24 answers
  6. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    If you don't have a car you have to plan your shopping trips with your friends. Oh and you have to buy a meal plan and health insurance. Those are really expensive

    Read all  21 answers
  7. What's unique about your campus?

    the friendly enviroment. every one seemed to know each other

    Read all  18 answers
  8. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    I brag about how great my professors have been. The genuinely care about the success of their students and they have been such a tremendous help in times of need.

    Read all  17 answers
  9. Describe the students at your school.

    fund and friendly

    Read all  16 answers
  10. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    it is a beautiful atmosphere to go to school in

    Read all  15 answers
  11. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    I would say that the most frustrating thing is budget cuts. I understand this is the entire state but I feel it is unfair. I'm very concerned that the classes I need for graduation will not be offered in the semester I need them due to these budget cuts. It has already affected other classmates of mine and I can not financially go any longer than one more year. I feel it is very unfair to us students

    Read all  15 answers
  12. What kind of person should attend this school?

    I think this is a great school for anyone looking to further their education.

    Read all  14 answers
  13. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    The location and the people are so unique. No one will ever be able to replicate what we have at WCU. We experience all four seasons, there's great hiking/kayaking/rafting/etc so close, and we're minutes from Asheville. It's more than just college, it's an experience, a way of life.

    Read all  12 answers
  14. What are the academics like at your school?

    Most professors at WCU definitely go above and beyond in dealing with students. All of my professors know my name and in fact I usually end up taking more than one class with professors. I major in English with a concentration in Film Studies and I love the department since I've declared my major I have gotten to know (and become friends with) more people in the department and get to know the a lot of the department's professors. I am actually very interactive with my academic advisor because I have taken more than one of her classes.

    Read all  2 answers
  15. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    I love WCU. I went to visit a lot of schools before choosing Western, but I am more than a little happy with my decision. The size of the college is perfect you can still meet a new person everyday but not feel like there's so many people you get lost in the crowd. We have a lot of really great professors who are more than willing to work with you. Plus, we're in a definite college town so the places around us really cater to the students. Also, our band is pretty amazing they are "the pride of the mountains." Its really easy to feel at home at Western Carolina University.

    Read all  1 answers

Student Body

Students

55%

female

45%

male

9,171

Total Undergrad Enrollment

1,634

Total Grad Students

8%

Out-Of-State

92%

In-State

N/A

International

Organizations

149

Student Organizations

14

Fraternities

9

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

43%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
1%
% Asian/Pacific Islander
1%
% Black or African-American
7%
% Hispanic/Latino
6%
% White or Caucasian
78%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

85% of students attending Western Carolina University receive some sort of financial aid. 40% were awarded federal grants. While 64% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$17,130

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$2,151

Books and Supplies

$9,516

Room and Board

28,797

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$9,932
$30 - $48K
$11,506
$48 - $75K
$15,377
$75 - $110K
$18,446
$110K & UP
$19,411

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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