About
About Western Carolina University
Western Carolina University is a public university in Cullowhee, NC, known for its health sciences focus and accessible admissions. With an acceptance rate of 85%, WCU is accessible for most qualified applicants, typically enrolling around 1,932 students each year. WCU is test optional; students who submit scores are typically admitted with SATs between 1060–1230, though many competitive applicants choose not to submit. WCU offers merit scholarships regardless of financial need, with awards averaging $4,930 per year; the sticker price of $23,018 may look very different from what your family actually pays.
Admissions
Western Carolina University acceptance rate and admitted student profile
accessible for most qualified applicants
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Application Strategy
Strategy tips for applying to Western Carolina University
Financial Aid & Cost
What Western Carolina University actually costs your family
Average net prices by income bracket from College Scorecard data.
| Family Income | Sticker Price | Avg. Net Cost / yr |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | ~$23k/yr | $8.8k |
| 30k-48k | ~$23k/yr | $10.0k |
| 48k-75k | ~$23k/yr | $12.6k |
| 75k-110k | ~$23k/yr | $17.1k |
| 110k+ | ~$23k/yr | $18.0k |
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Outcomes & Campus
Student outcomes and campus profile
Student Body
Student body composition
Race & Ethnicity