Western Carolina University
Acceptance
82%
Avg SAT
1157
In-State
$4,630
Grad Rate (4yr)
44%
Retention
79%
Earnings
$49,458
AI Overview
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Western Carolina University turns its stunning Appalachian setting into a living laboratory, with standout programs in natural resources conservation and environmental management. The campus attracts outdoor enthusiasts and environmentally conscious students who want hands-on learning beyond the classroom. With an 87% acceptance rate, WCU welcomes motivated students ready to explore both mountain trails and career paths. The university's location in tiny Cullowhee means you're genuinely part of a tight-knit mountain community, not just passing through.
AI-generated interpretation, separate from the federal statistics on this page · refreshed Mar 2026
SAT Score Range
ACT Score Range
In-State Tuition
$4,630
Out-of-State Tuition
$8,630
Room & Board
$12,354
Average Net Price
$13,315
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants & scholarships
Receive Pell Grants
35%
Take Federal Loans
44%
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,868
6-Year Graduation Rate
1st Year Retention Rate
Median Earnings
10 years after enrollment
$49,458Median Debt
At graduation for completers
$21,868Top Programs by Earnings
Bachelor's degree graduatesComputer Science
22 graduates
$86,853
4 yrs after graduation
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician
48 graduates
$83,954
4 yrs after graduation
Engineering, General
45 graduates
$82,500
4 yrs after graduation
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
238 graduates
$79,533
4 yrs after graduation
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians
15 graduates
$79,441
4 yrs after graduation
Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General
44 graduates
$78,801
4 yrs after graduation
Public Administration
120 graduates
$70,331
4 yrs after graduation
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
60 graduates
$65,010
4 yrs after graduation
Management Information Systems and Services
37 graduates
$62,128
4 yrs after graduation
Public Health
10 graduates
$61,698
4 yrs after graduation
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
Available Programs
67+ programsAnd 55 more programs available
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