Cullowhee, NC · Public · 4-year
Western Carolina University has a 86.7% acceptance rate. Western Carolina University is a public 4-year institution in Cullowhee, NC, with a median SAT of 1180 and a median ACT of 23. The average net price is $13,315 per year after financial aid, and it is accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education). Data updated April 2026.
86.7%
18,183 applicants
1180
Combined score
23
Composite score
$13,315
After financial aid
Middle-50% test scores of admitted students at Western Carolina University (25th to 75th percentile), per federal IPEDS data:
| Test | 25th percentile | Median | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT (total, 400–1600) | 1050 | 1180 | 1270 |
| ACT (composite, 1–36) | 20 | 23 | 26 |
59.7%
79.1%
$49,458
10,024
What students actually pay after grants and scholarships at Western Carolina University:
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 – $30,000 | $8,816 |
| $30,001 – $48,000 | $10,012 |
| $48,001 – $75,000 | $12,605 |
| $75,001 – $110,000 | $17,060 |
| $110,000+ | $17,992 |
| Major | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Health Professions | 549 |
| Business, Management & Marketing | 527 |
| Education | 195 |
| Public Administration & Social Services | 156 |
| Psychology | 150 |
| Visual & Performing Arts | 141 |
| Homeland Security & Criminal Justice | 139 |
| Engineering Technologies | 105 |
| Social Sciences | 74 |
| Physical Sciences | 71 |
Official website: https://www.wcu.edu/
Admissions: https://www.wcu.edu/apply/index.aspx
Western Carolina University has an acceptance rate of 87%. it received about 18,183 applications in a recent year; admitted students have a median SAT near 1180; the average net price is $13,315 per year. Admit Coach estimates your personal odds of admission to Western Carolina University for free using your GPA and test scores.
Getting into Western Carolina University is accessible for most qualified applicants — it admits 87% of applicants. Admitted students typically have a median SAT around 1180. Your odds depend on how your GPA and scores compare to admitted students. Admit Coach calculates your specific chance at Western Carolina University for free and labels it a reach, target, or safety school.
Admitted students at Western Carolina University typically have a median SAT around 1180 and a median ACT around 23. With a 87% acceptance rate, competitive applicants usually score at or above these medians. Western Carolina University is located in Cullowhee, NC. Enter your scores in Admit Coach to see whether you land in the reach, target, or safety range.
The average net price at Western Carolina University is $13,315 per year after grants and scholarships. about 99% of students receive financial aid; the average grant or scholarship is $5,442 per year. Net price varies by family income — Admit Coach shows the estimate for your specific income bracket.
Western Carolina University has a graduation rate of 60%. its first-year retention rate is 79%; median earnings 10 years after enrollment are $49,458. These federal outcome metrics let you compare Western Carolina University against similar colleges on Admit Coach.
For the 2025–26 cycle, Western Carolina University is test-optional, meaning you can choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. Students who do submit scores typically have a median SAT near 1180. With a 87% acceptance rate, a strong overall application matters most. Admit Coach factors Western Carolina University's testing policy into your free admission-chance estimate.
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