Admissions and Test Scores
Acceptance Rate
86.66%
SAT Average
1,151
ACT Range
20-26
Western Carolina University Acceptance Rate Trend
The current College Scorecard value in this local dataset is 86.66%. This means approximately 867 applicants were admitted per 1,000 who applied, based on the local dataset enrollment of 9,867 undergraduates. Historical year-by-year acceptance rate data will appear here after multi-year College Scorecard releases are imported.
Current dataset
86.66%
Current trend marker with historical import pending
Tuition, Net Price and Aid
| Metric | School value | Context | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Institutional accreditor where reported | Verify |
| In-state tuition | $4,532 | National avg: $20,567 | Verify |
| Out-of-state tuition | $8,532 | National avg: $20,567 | Verify |
| Attendance cost | $19,057 | Use with aid and net price | Verify |
| Average net price | $12,579 | State avg: $14,661. National avg: $17,506 | Verify |
| Pell grant rate | 32.85% | Federal need-based grant indicator | Verify |
| Federal loan rate | 43.64% | Share using federal loans | Verify |
What Does Western Carolina University Cost?
Total cost of attendance vs average net price after grants and aid, based on the local College Scorecard dataset.
Tuition
$8,532
Room and board
$11,764
Books and supplies
$693
Other expenses
$3,330
Fees and remainder
$0
Sticker price
$19,057
Average net price
$12,579
Average aid coverage
34%
$6,478 below sticker price on average
What You Pay
Based on available data, the average student at Western Carolina University pays approximately $12,579 per year after grants and aid. This is below the North Carolina average of $14,661 and below the national average of $17,506.
How Affordable Is Western Carolina University?
Average net price after grants and scholarships, compared to North Carolina and national averages.
Western Carolina University net price
$12,579
North Carolina average
$14,661
National average
$17,506
Western Carolina University Tuition and Net Price Trend
The current imported dataset shows tuition at $8,532 and average net price at $12,579. A multi-year trend chart will appear here after historical College Scorecard release tables are imported.
Current tuition
$8,532
Current net price
$12,579
Current-year comparison is shown now; historical bars will replace this fallback once multi-year College Scorecard releases are imported.
Student Outcomes
Completion Rate (150% Time)
59.08%
Full-time, first-time students completing within 150% of normal time.
10-Year Earnings
$49,458
Undergraduates
9,867
10-Year Median Earnings - Western Carolina University vs Peers
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment. Source: College Scorecard federal dataset.
Western Carolina University graduates earn about 1.1x the national average 10 years after enrollment, based on schools with reported earnings data.
Who Attends Western Carolina University?
Undergraduates
9,867
Completion rate
59.08%
Above national average; national avg: 52.02%
Pell recipients
32.85%
Below national average; national avg: 42.32%
Federal loan rate
43.64%
Above national average; national avg: 40.83%
Completion vs national average
Pell grant recipients
Federal loan usage
Financial Aid
About 32.85% of Western Carolina University students receive federal Pell grants, indicating the share of students receiving this need-based aid in the local dataset. 43.64% take federal loans, which helps families understand borrowing patterns alongside net price.
Estimate Your Net Price at Western Carolina University
Select a family income bracket to see the average net price students in that range paid. Data comes from College Scorecard income-bracket averages when available.
Estimated net price for :
This estimate is based on College Scorecard averages for students in this income range who received federal aid. Actual amounts vary. Use Western Carolina University's official Net Price Calculator for a personalized figure.
Accreditation
Western Carolina University lists Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges as its accreditor in the local dataset. Institutional accreditation is an important trust signal and can affect federal financial aid eligibility. Accreditation means an external agency has reviewed academic quality and institutional standards, which helps families verify whether federal aid pathways such as Pell grants and federal loans may apply.
Visit AccreditorCampus and Location
Western Carolina University is listed at Highway 107, Cullowhee, NC 28723-9646. Accreditor: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Compare Schools
Compare Western Carolina University with nationally comparable peer institutions across acceptance rate, tuition, net price and 10-year earnings. Click any school name to open its full profile.
| School | Accept. rate | Out-of-state tuition | Avg net price | 10-yr earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Carolina University | 86.66% | $8,532 | $12,579 | $49,458 |
| Duke University | 6.78% | $65,805 | $34,454 | $97,800 |
| Chamberlain University-North Carolina | 66.67% | $19,686 | $21,664 | $92,405 |
| Davidson College | 14.48% | $60,300 | $18,127 | $81,400 |
| Wake Forest University | 21.56% | $64,758 | $28,746 | $78,158 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Western Carolina University's acceptance rate?
Western Carolina University's acceptance rate in the local dataset is 86.66%.
How much is Western Carolina University tuition?
Western Carolina University's out-of-state tuition in the local dataset is $8,532.
What is Western Carolina University's average net price?
Western Carolina University's average net price in the local dataset is $12,579.
What is Western Carolina University's average earnings 10 years after enrollment?
The local dataset reports 10-year median earnings of $49,458 for Western Carolina University.
Is Western Carolina University accredited?
Western Carolina University's accreditor in the local dataset is Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
How many students attend Western Carolina University?
The local dataset lists 9,867 undergraduate students at Western Carolina University.
What percentage of Western Carolina University students receive Pell grants?
The Pell grant rate for Western Carolina University in the local dataset is 32.85%.
What is the federal loan rate at Western Carolina University?
The federal loan rate for Western Carolina University in the local dataset is 43.64%.
Where should I verify Western Carolina University data?
Use this page for comparison, then verify admissions, tuition, net price and student outcomes directly with Western Carolina University or the latest official federal education data.