Western Carolina University

www.wcu.edu

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2024 Undergraduate Tuition

$1,000

2024 Average Net Price

$13,767

After Financial Aid

2024 Acceptance Rate

81.8%

19,742 Applicants

2024 Enrolled Students

11,686

78.5% Full-Time

2024 Graduation Rate

60.3%

1,316 Graduates

About

Western Carolina University is a higher education institution located in Jackson County, NC. In 2024, the most popular Bachelors Degree concentrations at Western Carolina University were General Business Administration & Management (270 degrees awarded), Registered Nursing (266 degrees), and General Psychology (163 degrees).

In 2024, 3,438 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Western Carolina University. 61.7% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 38.3% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (2,702 degrees), 10.5 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (257 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Western Carolina University is $1,000, which is $−30,920 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,920).

Doctoral Universities: Moderate Research Activity Doctoral Universities

Costs

In 2024, the median undergraduate tuition at Western Carolina University is $1,000, which is $30,920 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,920).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $13,767.

In 2024, 65% of undergraduate students attending Western Carolina University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 44% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$1,000

2024 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2024, the cost of tuition at Western Carolina University was $1,000. The cost of tuition at Western Carolina University is $−30,920 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,920).

This chart compares the tuition costs of Western Carolina University (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$13,767

2024 Value

12.4%

1 Year Growth

In 2024 Western Carolina University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $13,767. Between 2023 and 2024, the average net price of Western Carolina University grew by 12.4%.

This chart compares the average net price of Western Carolina University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$12,043

Room and Board

$693

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Western Carolina University was of $12,043 in 2024. The cost of room and board increased by 3.65% between 2023 and 2024.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $693. The cost of books and supplies increased by 4.37% during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at Western Carolina University (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

65%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

44%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

65% of undergraduate students at Western Carolina University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2024. This represents a decline of 32.3% with respect to 2023, when 96% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at Western Carolina University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Admissions

Western Carolina University received 19,742 undergraduate applications in 2024, which represents a 8.57% annual growth. Out of those 19,742 applicants, 16,154 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 81.8% acceptance rate.

There were 11,686 students enrolled at Western Carolina University in 2024. 5% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Western Carolina University has an overall enrollment yield of 12.7%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

81.8%

Acceptance Rate in 2024

16,154

Accepted Out of 19,742

In 2024, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Western Carolina University was 81.8% (16,154 admissions from 19,742 applications). This is lower than the acceptance rate of 2023, which was 86.7%. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of applicants grew by 8.57%, while admissions grew by 2.51%.

This chart compares the acceptance rate of Western Carolina University (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

SAT Scores

Submission Percentage (2024)

110

Scores Submitted (2024)

5% of enrolled first-time students at Western Carolina University in 2024 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

The following chart shows the average SAT scores for the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile of applicants for each section of the test that they are evaluated on.

Enrollment

Western Carolina University had a total enrollment of 11,686 students in 2024. The full-time enrollment at Western Carolina University is 9,170 students and the part-time enrollment is 2,516. This means that 78.5% of students enrolled at Western Carolina University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Western Carolina University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 75.3% White, 8.42% Hispanic or Latino, 6.85% Black or African American, 4.38% Two or More Races, 1.28% Asian, 0.856% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.077% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Western Carolina University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Female (42.8%), followed by White Male (32.2%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (5.37%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (56.3%), followed by White Male (22%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (4.22%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

78.5%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Western Carolina University in 2024, both undergraduate and graduate, is 11,686 students. The full-time enrollment at Western Carolina University is 9,170 and the part-time enrollment is 2,516. This means that 78.5% of students enrolled at Western Carolina University are enrolled full-time compared with 77.3% at similar Doctoral Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Western Carolina University (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

79%

2024 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Western Carolina University was 79%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Doctoral Universities (82%), Western Carolina University had a retention rate lower than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at Western Carolina University (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
8,795 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
984 enrolled students
Black or African American
800 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at Western Carolina University is 75.3% White, 8.42% Hispanic or Latino, 6.85% Black or African American, 4.38% Two or More Races, 1.28% Asian, 0.856% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.077% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Doctoral Universities is 46.2% White, 16.3% Hispanic or Latino, and 10.4% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 98 students (0.839%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2024, 806 more women than men received degrees from Western Carolina University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Western Carolina University is white (2,702 degrees awarded). There were 10.5 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (257 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Western Carolina University is General Business Administration & Management (270 degrees awarded), followed by Registered Nursing (266 degrees) and General Psychology (163 degrees).

In 2024, the most specialized majors across all degree types at Western Carolina University, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Public Administration and Social Service (246 degrees awarded), Physical Sciences (90 degrees), and Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (110 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Other managers

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Western Carolina University are Other managers (169,224 people), Social workers, all other (152,597 people), Postsecondary teachers (101,089 people), Software developers (90,996 people), and Elementary & middle school teachers (81,985 people).

The most specialized majors at Western Carolina University in 2024 are Public Administration and Social Service (246 degrees awarded), Physical Sciences (90 degrees), Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (110 degrees), Engineering Technologies (140 degrees), and Natural Resources & Conservation (43 degrees) (as of 2024).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Surgeons

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Western Carolina University are Surgeons, Diagnostic medical sonographers, Cardiovascular technologists and technicians, Physicians, and Nurse anesthetists

The most specialized majors at Western Carolina University are Public Administration and Social Service (246 degrees awarded), Physical Sciences (90 degrees), Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (110 degrees), Engineering Technologies (140 degrees), and Natural Resources & Conservation (43 degrees) (as of 2024).

Common Industries by Major

Elementary & secondary schools

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Western Carolina University are Elementary & secondary schools (251,701 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (233,411 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (205,736 people), Computer Systems Design (137,397 people), and Outpatient care centers (108,529 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by Western Carolina University.

Most Common (2024)

General Business Administration & Management
270 degrees awarded
Registered Nursing
266 degrees awarded
General Psychology
163 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Western Carolina University was General Business Administration & Management with 270 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at Western Carolina University according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

1,316

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2024

2,122

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2024

In 2024, 1,316 degrees were awarded to men at Western Carolina University, which is 0.62 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (2,122).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at Western Carolina University by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2024, 133 degrees were awarded to men at Western Carolina University in General Business Administration & Management, which is 0.811 times less than the 164 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2024, 272 degrees were awarded to men at Western Carolina University in Registered Nursing, which is 9.38 times more than the 29 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

43%

100% Completion Time

61%

150% Completion Time

In 2024, 43% of students graduating from Western Carolina University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 61% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 62% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Doctoral Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

Asian Female

Highest Graduation Rate (83.3%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2024 at Western Carolina University is Female and Asian (83.3% graduation rate). Across all Doctoral Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (75.5%).

The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) categorizes any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the graduation rate of those students is shown in the chart below. Additionally, 1.07% of graduates (14 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
2,702 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
257 degrees awarded
Black or African American
194 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Western Carolina University is white (2,702 degrees awarded). There were 10.5 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (257 degrees).

0.931% of degree recipients (32 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2024)

White Female
1,667 degrees awarded
White Female
1,663 degrees awarded
White Female
1,631 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Western Carolina University is white female (1,667 degrees awarded). There were 1 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white female (1,663 degrees).

Operations

Western Carolina University has an endowment valued at nearly $138M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 24.4M (17.7%) compared to the 9.4% average return (23.7M on 252M) across all Doctoral Universities.

In 2024, Western Carolina University had a total salary expenditure of 301M. Western Carolina University employs 183 Assistant professors, 137 Associate professors and 129 Professors. Most academics at Western Carolina University are Female Assistant professor (97), Male Assistant professor (86), and Female Associate professor (77).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Western Carolina University are: Service, with 191 employees, Office and Administrative Support, with 185 employees, and Computer, Engineering, and Science with 132 employees.

Endowment

$138M

2024 Endowment

9.75%

growth from 2023

Western Carolina University has an endowment valued at about $138M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The endowment of Western Carolina University grew 9.75% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $114M lower than than the median endowment of Doctoral Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at Western Carolina University (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Doctoral Universities: Moderate Research Activity Carnegie Classification grouping.

Salary Expenditure

$117M

2024 Salaries

5.87%

growth from 2023

In 2024, Western Carolina University paid a median of $117M in salaries, which represents 39% of their overall expenditure ($301M) and a 5.87% growth from the previous year. This is compared to a 2.98% growth between 2022 and 2023, and a 4.31% growth between 2021 and 2022.

Instructional Salaries

$47.4M

Instructional Salaries

557

Number of Employees

In 2024, Western Carolina University paid a total of $47.4M to 557 employees working as instructors, which represents 40.4% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $4.1M (2.29%) for similar Doctoral Universities.

Occupations by Share

In 2024, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Western Carolina University were Service with 191 employees, Office and Administrative Support with 185 employees, and Computer, Engineering, and Science with 132 employees.

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