The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN
81% admitted · $15,026/yr after aid
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC · Public · Distant town · Website
- Admission rate
- 82%
- Accessible
- Average net price
- $13,025
- per year, after aid
- Graduation rate
- 61%
- Median earnings
- $53,764
- 10 years after enrolling
Summary
Western Carolina University is a public college in Cullowhee, NC with 10,024 undergraduates. It admits 82% of applicants, and admitted students average 1157 on the SAT. The average net price after aid is $13,025 per year ($10,446 for families earning under $30,000). 61% of students graduate, and graduates earn a median of $53,764 ten years after enrolling.
public college
Admissions
- Admission rate
- 82%
- Fall 2024
- Testing policy
- Test optional
- Fall 2024
- Applicants
- 18,183
- Fall 2023
- Admitted
- 15,758
- Fall 2023
- Yield
- 13%
- of admitted students enrolled
Middle 50% of admitted students (Fall 2024). A quarter scored below the band and a quarter above.
SAT Reading & Writing560–660
200800
SAT Math520–610
200800
ACT Composite19–25
136
What Western Carolina University looks at
As reported by the college to IPEDS (Fall 2023).
- High school recordRequired
- High school GPARequired
- College-prep courseworkRequired
- Class rankConsidered
- Essay or personal statementConsidered
- RecommendationsConsidered
- Demonstrated competenciesNot considered
- Legacy statusNot considered
- Work experienceConsidered
- English proficiency testRequired
Cost
- Cost of attendance
- $21,165
- sticker price, per year
- In-state tuition
- $4,685
- Out-of-state tuition
- $8,685
Net price by family income
Average yearly cost after grants and scholarships for students receiving federal aid.
- $0–30k$10,446
- $30–48k$8,629
- $48–75k$10,322
- $75–110k$15,350
- $110k+$18,389
Get a personal estimate with Western Carolina University's net price calculator
Outcomes
- Graduation rate
- 61%
- Freshman retention
- 79%
- Median earnings
- $53,764
- 10 yrs after enrolling
- Median debt
- $19,500
- at graduation
Students
- Undergraduates
- 10,024
- Student–faculty ratio
- 16:1
- Receive Pell grants
- 39%
- White75%
- Hispanic9%
- Black7%
- Asian1%
Western Carolina University FAQ
What is Western Carolina University's acceptance rate?+
Western Carolina University admits 82% of applicants, which makes it accessible.
What SAT score do you need for Western Carolina University?+
The middle 50% of admitted students scored 560–660 on SAT Reading and Writing and 520–610 on SAT Math; the average total is 1157.
What ACT score do you need for Western Carolina University?+
The middle 50% ACT composite range for admitted students is 19–25.
Is Western Carolina University test optional?+
Test optional (considered if submitted).
How many students apply to Western Carolina University?+
In Fall 2023, 18,183 students applied to Western Carolina University and 15,758 were admitted; 2,103 enrolled.
Does Western Carolina University consider legacy status?+
No. Western Carolina University reported that legacy status is not considered in admissions (Fall 2023).
Does Western Carolina University require an essay?+
Western Carolina University reported that an essay or personal statement is considered for admission (Fall 2023).
How much does Western Carolina University cost?+
The sticker cost of attendance is $21,165 per year, but the average net price after grants and scholarships is $13,025.
What is Western Carolina University's graduation rate?+
61% of full-time students graduate within 150% of normal time.
Sources
- Admission rate, test scores, cost, students, and outcomes: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (Most Recent Institution-Level Data), released 2026-10-15. Admissions figures are for Fall 2024, costs for 2024-25, and earnings are measured in 2023.
- Applicants, admitted, yield, and admission factors: IPEDS Admissions survey (ADM2023), Fall 2023.
- IPEDS unit ID 200004 · How we use this data
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