C+
Above Average
Score: 61/100
Quick Stats
11,628
Total Enrollment
59%
Graduation Rate
76%
Retention Rate
16.0:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
87%
Acceptance Rate
$12,252
Avg Net Price
For parents & investors
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)
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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
99%
Receive Any Aid
38%
Receive Pell Grants
52%
Take Out Loans
$12,252
Avg Net Price
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.
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
301 grads/yr
Business Administration and Management, General
297 grads/yr
Psychology, General
177 grads/yr
Criminal Justice/Safety Studies
158 grads/yr
Public Administration
130 grads/yr
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General
121 grads/yr
Social Work
116 grads/yr
Marketing/Marketing Management, General
106 grads/yr
Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic)
94 grads/yr
Biology/Biological Sciences, General
86 grads/yr
Kindergarten/Preschool Education and Teaching
82 grads/yr
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician
78 grads/yr
Finance, General
78 grads/yr
Business Administration, Management and Operations, Other
73 grads/yr
Sport and Fitness Administration/Management
67 grads/yr
Marketing, Other
64 grads/yr
Communication Sciences and Disorders, General
54 grads/yr
Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General
51 grads/yr
Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General
50 grads/yr
Accounting
48 grads/yr
Related Career Paths
Careers that graduates from Western Carolina University's top programs commonly pursue.
Registered nurses
$94k/yr
3,391,000 jobs
Nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary
$80k/yr
91,600 jobs
Chief executives
$206k/yr
309,400 jobs
Compensation and benefits managers
$140k/yr
20,900 jobs
Human resources managers
$140k/yr
221,900 jobs
Sales managers
$138k/yr
619,500 jobs
Managers, all other
$137k/yr
1,333,700 jobs
Training and development managers
$127k/yr
46,400 jobs
Student Demographics
11,628
Total Students
59%
Women
78%
Traditional Age (18-24)
1%
Off-Campus Renters
👥 Race & Ethnicity
White
76%
Hispanic
8%
Black
7%
Asian
1%
Two or More
4%
Non-Resident
2%
🏠 Living Arrangements
On Campus
95%
Off-Campus (Renters)
1%
With Family
3%
🏘️ Rental Demand: ~151 students need off-campus housing
💻 Learning Mode
In-Person
50%
Hybrid (Some Online)
26%
Fully Online
24%
📊 Age Distribution
18-24 (Traditional)
78%
25-64 (Adult)
20%
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Western Carolina University?
Western Carolina University has an acceptance rate of 87%.
This indicates a less selective admissions process with good chances for qualified applicants.
How much does it cost to attend Western Carolina University?
Tuition at Western Carolina University is
$1,000 for in-state students
and $5,000 for out-of-state students
.
However, the average net price after financial aid is $12,252.
What is the graduation rate at Western Carolina University?
The graduation rate at Western Carolina University is 59%.
This graduation rate is below average. Consider factors like program type and student demographics when evaluating.
Is Western Carolina University a good school?
Western Carolina University has a Repit College Score of 61/100 (Grade: C+).
Our rating evaluates five key factors:
- 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
How many students attend Western Carolina University?
Western Carolina University has a total enrollment of 11,628 students.
Most students (78%) are traditional college-age (18-24).
Is there rental demand near Western Carolina University?
Yes! Approximately 1% of students at Western Carolina University live off-campus (not with family).
That's roughly 151 students who need rental housing near campus.
Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for Western Carolina University — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →
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Compare with other 4-Year public institutions of similar size.
Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: September 2026 | Methodology