Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC · Town (distant)
Admissions
- Acceptance rate (most recent year)
- 81.8%
- Applicants (fall 2023)
- 18,183
- Admitted (fall 2023)
- 15,758
- Enrolled freshmen (fall 2023)
- 2,103
- Yield (admitted who enroll)
- 13%
- Acceptance rate – women (fall 2023)
- 89%
- Acceptance rate – men (fall 2023)
- 83%
- SAT reading, middle 50%
- 560–660
- SAT math, middle 50%
- 520–610
- ACT composite, middle 50%
- 19–25
- Enrollees who sent SAT / ACT
- 9% / 23%
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey, fall 2023 entering class; test ranges and rate from U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
What they look at
- High school GPA
- required
- High school class rank
- considered
- High school record (transcript)
- required
- College-prep program completed
- required
- Recommendations
- considered
- Demonstration of competencies
- not considered
- SAT/ACT scores
- considered
- English proficiency test (TOEFL etc.)
- required
- Other test
- not considered
- Work experience
- considered
- Personal statement or essay
- considered
- Legacy status
- not considered
“Considered” means the college uses it if you submit it, but it isn’t required.
What families actually pay
Average yearly net price (after grants and scholarships) for first-time, full-time students who got aid, by family income.
- Full sticker price (per year)
- $19,992
- Tuition & fees – in-state
- $4,630
- Tuition & fees – out-of-state
- $8,630
- Median debt at graduation
- $21,868
- Students with federal loans
- 44%
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Outcomes
- Graduate within 6 years
- 60%
- Freshmen who return for year 2
- 79%
- Median earnings, 1 year after graduating
- $40,015
- Median earnings, 10 years after starting
- $49,458
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Students & campus
- Undergraduates
- 10,024
- Graduate students
- 1,574
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- 16 : 1
- Women
- 58%
- Students receiving Pell grants
- 35%
- Full-time faculty
- 74%
Undergraduate diversity
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Most popular majors
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release) (share of bachelor’s degrees awarded)
Contacts & links
- Chancellor
- Kelli Brown
- Main phone
- (828) 227-7100
- Address
- Highway 107, Cullowhee, NC 28723-9646
How to apply
| Plan | Apply by | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Early Action | November 1 | December 15 |
| Priority deadline | January 1 | February 1 |
| Regular Decision | February 1 | — |
- SAT/ACT
- Optional
- Essays
- Not required of all applicants; optional essay or bio sheet
- Recommendations
- Not required; applicants may be encouraged to submit in some cases
Testing: Scores required only if weighted GPA is below 2.80 (policy stated for Fall 2025/Spring 2026 entry)
Financial aid policies
- Merit scholarships: Freshman merit scholarships; priority consideration deadline February 1
- NC Promise campus: state-funded, dramatically reduced tuition for undergraduates
Source: the college’s official website and Common Data Set 2024-2025: wcu.edu, wcu.edu, wcu.edu, wcu.edu. Dates can change, so always confirm on the college’s site.