Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology
Quick Stats
Earnings, Debt & Completion
What happens to students who enroll at Western Carolina University, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
Typical debt at graduation equals about 44% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.
Earnings rank: 41st percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (NC wage index 0.87). This drives the Outcome Rating.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.
Earnings by Major at Western Carolina University
Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.
| Major | 1 yr after | 4 yrs after | vs. national | Rank (pay) | Rank (wage-adj.) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $28,892 | $86,853 | -19% | #267 of 349 | #229 | $27,000 |
| Construction Engineering Technology/Technician | $63,401 | $83,954 | -11% | #38 of 43 | #33 | $26,000 |
| Engineering | $62,244 | $82,500 | -8% | #48 of 57 | #33 | $25,550 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $68,774 | $79,533 | -11% | #736 of 966 | #588 | $17,500 |
| Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $67,003 | $79,441 | -6% | #37 of 46 | #27 | $22,457 |
| Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $59,813 | $78,801 | -2% | #18 of 34 | #15 | $25,250 |
| Public Administration | $56,445 | $70,331 | +8% | #12 of 47 | #6 | $17,234 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $69,067 | — | — | — | — | $31,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $53,398 | $65,010 | -8% | #147 of 253 | #142 | $25,090 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $47,867 | $62,128 | -25% | #153 of 166 | #147 | $22,300 |
| Public Health | — | $61,698 | +5% | #77 of 215 | #49 | $27,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $40,607 | $61,346 | -19% | #689 of 796 | #636 | $19,428 |
| Mathematics | $34,802 | $59,885 | -14% | #249 of 309 | #206 | $26,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $32,842 | $58,467 | +14% | #94 of 299 | #56 | $29,911 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $40,575 | $58,076 | -30% | #438 of 452 | #424 | $22,060 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $39,513 | $57,713 | -15% | #876 of 1176 | #757 | $21,836 |
| Marketing | $33,197 | $56,568 | -18% | #443 of 516 | #407 | $22,922 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $38,682 | $55,903 | +1% | #295 of 660 | #158 | $21,430 |
| Security Science and Technology | — | $54,246 | -6% | #33 of 45 | #24 | $21,500 |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | $17,970 | $53,622 | -4% | #52 of 70 | #40 | $23,952 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $24,521 | $52,183 | -11% | #183 of 215 | #163 | $20,870 |
| Political Science and Government | — | $52,077 | -18% | #487 of 565 | #420 | $22,500 |
| Chemistry | $26,513 | $51,213 | -21% | #204 of 209 | #195 | $19,618 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $32,428 | $50,761 | -7% | #381 of 610 | #308 | $24,302 |
| Biology | $28,381 | $50,180 | -12% | #682 of 841 | #581 | $25,193 |
| Social Work | $36,727 | $50,025 | -3% | #270 of 420 | #196 | $24,818 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | $37,608 | $49,898 | -11% | #60 of 85 | #46 | $23,187 |
| Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy | $36,846 | $49,834 | -11% | #24 of 29 | #19 | $18,500 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $29,395 | $49,798 | -12% | #106 of 137 | #93 | $25,657 |
| Psychology | $27,505 | $48,350 | -5% | #631 of 1027 | #405 | $21,813 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $41,444 | $48,232 | -6% | #245 of 345 | #200 | $24,927 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $40,594 | $47,105 | -1% | #382 of 680 | #305 | $23,900 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $41,376 | $47,031 | -7% | #140 of 177 | #118 | $20,485 |
| Sociology | $23,374 | $46,195 | -12% | #369 of 462 | #297 | $23,250 |
| Anthropology | $28,262 | $45,809 | -2% | #99 of 188 | #70 | $20,732 |
| English Language and Literature | $29,927 | $45,079 | -7% | #411 of 576 | #310 | $25,000 |
| Music | $26,135 | $44,014 | +3% | #128 of 268 | #96 | $26,000 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $19,125 | $43,954 | -13% | #123 of 158 | #108 | $25,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $28,996 | $43,322 | -23% | #592 of 660 | #559 | $18,697 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $24,253 | $43,029 | +4% | #172 of 423 | #100 | $25,159 |
| History | $34,909 | $42,698 | -16% | #411 of 459 | #360 | $23,814 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management | $30,485 | $41,786 | -17% | #51 of 55 | #50 | $21,415 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | — | $40,831 | -26% | #261 of 265 | #251 | — |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $36,179 | $40,744 | -26% | #217 of 225 | #208 | $23,250 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $21,824 | $34,516 | -13% | #217 of 255 | #184 | $24,722 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.
The Western Carolina University Town Property Report
- Avg home value near campus: $434,126
- Avg rent near campus: $1,171/mo — vs ~$725/mo campus room rate
- Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 28789 (4.2% cap, Whittier)
Get the free 1-page report: rent-vs-dorm math, the 3 best nearby ZIPs by yield, and the “kiddie condo” strategy parents use.
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🏆 Where Western Carolina University Ranks
Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.
Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $1,000 | $5,000 |
| Room | $6,521 | |
| Board | $5,243 | |
| Total Cost (On-Campus) | $20,319 | $24,319 |
Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
| Family Income | Average Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $8,571 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,277 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,085 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $15,140 |
| $110,001+ | $17,958 |
Programs & Career Paths
Top Degree Programs
Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.
Related Career Paths
Careers that graduates from Western Carolina University's top programs commonly pursue.
Student Demographics
👥 Race & Ethnicity
🏠 Living Arrangements
💻 Learning Mode
📊 Age Distribution
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Western Carolina University?
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Is Western Carolina University a good school?
- Outcomes (B): Graduation and retention rates
- Affordability (C+): Net cost and financial aid access
- Resources (C+): Class sizes and selectivity
- Experience (A): Campus life and learning format
- Prestige (C): Reputation and recognition
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🎓 Similar Colleges to Western Carolina University
Compare with other 4-Year public institutions of similar size.
Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology