Western Carolina University (WCU) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Western Carolina University
Tucked into a mountain valley, Western Carolina University pairs big-sky scenery with a practical, get-your-hands-dirty education. The university is known for strengths in health and human services, teacher preparation, business, engineering and technology, the arts, and the natural sciences. Classes lean into real projects, with labs, studios, and maker-style spaces that turn ideas into work worth showing.
Life on campus tilts outdoors: hiking before dinner, music on the lawn, intramurals that actually feel competitive. Student services are easy to find, from advising and tutoring to wellness and career coaching. And there is a strong service-minded streak, reflected in partnerships across Western North Carolina. The culture feels friendly and unpretentious, with purple-and-gold pride, a high-energy marching band, and traditions like a mountain heritage festival. Career prep runs through it all, with internships and alumni ties across the region and a clear path from classroom to first job.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Western Carolina University (WCU) offers 79 degree programs across 24 major academic fields, graduating approximately 3,266 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Business (10 programs, 776 graduates), Health (10 programs, 588 graduates), Education (17 programs, 357 graduates), Public Services (2 programs, 246 graduates) and Psychology (3 programs, 186 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Business (10 programs, 776 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 297 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.0201 |
| Marketing Management | 106 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1401 |
| Finance, General | 78 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0801 |
| Business Administration and Management | 73 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
52.0299 |
| Marketing | 64 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.1499 |
| Human Resources Management | 50 |
|
Master's
|
52.1001 |
| Accounting | 48 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.0301 |
| Management Information Systems | 35 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1201 |
| Hospitality Management | 16 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0901 |
| Entrepreneurship Studies | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0701 |
Health (10 programs, 588 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | 301 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
51.3801 |
| Emergency Medical Technology | 94 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.0904 |
| Communication Sciences and Disorders | 54 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
51.0201 |
| Physical Therapy | 47 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
51.2308 |
| Health Administration and Management | 21 |
|
Master's
|
51.0701 |
| Therapeutic Recreation | 19 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.2309 |
| Nursing Practice | 17 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
51.3818 |
| Dietetics | 14 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.3101 |
| Environmental Health | 11 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.2202 |
| Athletic Training | 10 |
|
Master's
|
51.0913 |
Education (17 programs, 357 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten and Preschool Education | 82 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1209 |
| General Education | 40 |
|
Master's
|
13.0101 |
| Elementary Education | 40 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1202 |
| Educational Leadership and Administration | 35 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0401 |
| College Student Counseling and Personnel Services | 30 |
|
Master's
|
13.1102 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development | 28 |
|
Master's
|
13.1299 |
| Educational and Curriculum Supervision | 16 |
|
Master's
|
13.0404 |
| Music Teacher Education | 16 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1312 |
| Physical Education Teaching and Coaching | 15 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1314 |
| Special Education Teaching | 13 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1001 |
| School Counseling and Guidance | 13 |
|
Master's
|
13.1101 |
| English Language Arts Teacher Education | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1305 |
| Middle School Education and Teaching | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1203 |
| Art Education | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1302 |
| Social Studies Teacher Education | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1318 |
| Science Teacher Education | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1316 |
| Mathematics Teacher Education | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1311 |
Public Services (2 programs, 246 graduates)
Public Administration, Social Work and Community Services
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Administration | 130 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
44.0401 |
| Social Work | 116 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
44.0701 |
Psychology (3 programs, 186 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Psychology | 177 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
42.0101 |
| School Psychology | 6 |
|
Master's
|
42.2805 |
| Clinical Psychology | 3 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
42.2801 |
Security & Safety (1 programs, 158 graduates)
Emergency Management, Law Enforcement and Public Safety
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Safety Studies | 158 |
|
Bachelor's
|
43.0104 |
Arts (6 programs, 143 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Music Performance | 35 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0903 |
| Studio Arts, General | 33 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0702 |
| Theatre Arts | 31 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0501 |
| Interior Design | 22 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0408 |
| Art Studies | 11 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0701 |
| Music | 11 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0901 |
Kinesiology (3 programs, 110 graduates)
Exercise Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Recreation
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sport and Fitness Management | 67 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
31.0504 |
| Parks and Recreation Management | 31 |
|
Bachelor's
|
31.0301 |
| Outdoor Education | 12 |
|
Master's
|
31.0601 |
Social Sciences (4 programs, 98 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthropology | 40 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0201 |
| Political Science and Government | 27 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1001 |
| Sociology | 27 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1101 |
| Applied Economics | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0602 |
Physical Sciences (3 programs, 90 graduates)
Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forensic Chemistry | 45 |
|
Bachelor's
|
40.0510 |
| Chemistry | 34 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
40.0501 |
| Geology and Earth Science | 11 |
|
Bachelor's
|
40.0601 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Western Carolina University (WCU).
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Western Carolina University (WCU)
How much does it cost to attend Western Carolina University (WCU)?
The annual tuition at Western Carolina University (WCU) is $4,532 for in-state students and $8,532 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $20,319 for in-state students and $24,319 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $11,764 (on) / $12,322 (off) and books and supplies $693.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Western Carolina University offer?
Western Carolina University (WCU) offers 79 academic programs across 24 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Post-Master's, Doctorate (Research), Doctorate (Professional), Other Award.
Most popular program areas include:
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (10 programs)
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (10 programs)
- Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (17 programs)
- Public Administration, Social Work and Community Services (2 programs)
- Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies (3 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for Western Carolina University?
Western Carolina University (WCU) has an 86.7% acceptance rate and a 13.3% yield rate, making it moderately selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 18,183
- Students admitted: 15,758
- Students enrolled: 2,103
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Western Carolina University?
Western Carolina University (WCU) provides financial aid to 19% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $5,442 and average loans of $6,085.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,063
- State/Local grants: $1,508
- Institutional grants: $3,058
- Federal loans: $4,858
The university supports 1,894 students with grants and 1,002 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Western Carolina University graduates?
Western Carolina University (WCU) graduates earn a median salary of $43,085 after 6 years and $49,458 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $35,205 (25th percentile) to $67,362 (75th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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