Founded in 1889, Western Carolina University. is a Public college. Located in North Carolina, which is a city setting in North Carolina, the campus itself is Town. The campus is home to 9,171 full time undergraduate students, and 1,634 full time graduate students.
The Western Carolina University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 17:1. There are 473 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Western Carolina University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.
Quick Facts
Acceptance Rate
40%
Application Deadline
Application Fee
65
SAT Range
910-1120
ACT Range
20-25
Admissions at WCU are considered More Selective, with ,56% of all applicants being admitted.
In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 11 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.
79% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 40% were in the top quarter, and 15% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.
STUDENT LIFE Reviews
We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Western Carolina University.
2%
“We”re apathetic”
21%
“We know about current events and vote”
69%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
8%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
3%
“We save it for the classroom”
18%
“Sometimes, but not often”
59%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
20%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
5%
“I only go out in groups”
37%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
58%
“I feel extremely safe”
20%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
22%
“We bought the gear”
58%
“We live for the big game”
0%
“It”s not really our thing”
6%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
48%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
45%
“We”re a very artistic group”
3%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
66%
“They keep regular office hours”
31%
“They”re always available”
3%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
21%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
75%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
8%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
23%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
40%
“We only party on weekends”
29%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
8%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
65%
“There might be people who do”
21%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
6%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
2%
“We”re apathetic”
21%
“We know about current events and vote”
69%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
8%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
3%
“We save it for the classroom”
18%
“Sometimes, but not often”
59%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
20%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
5%
“I only go out in groups”
37%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
58%
“I feel extremely safe”
20%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
22%
“We bought the gear”
58%
“We live for the big game”
0%
“It”s not really our thing”
6%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
48%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
45%
“We”re a very artistic group”
3%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
66%
“They keep regular office hours”
31%
“They”re always available”
3%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
21%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
75%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
127 Students rated on-campus housing 3.7 stars. 20 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate off-campus housing?
88 Students rated off-campus housing 3.7 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus food?
128 Students rated campus food 3.2 stars. 16 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus facilities?
129 Students rated campus facilities 4.3 stars. 44 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate class size?
129 Students rated class size 4.5 stars. 64 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate school activities?
128 Students rated school activities 4.1 stars. 44 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate local services?
129 Students rated local services 3.5 stars. 26 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate academics?
129 Students rated academics 4.4 stars. 54 % gave the school a 5.0.
Western Carolina University REVIEWS
What's your overall opinion of Western Carolina University?
87 Students rated Western Carolina University
Stormi
After visiting Western Carolina University, I was really impressed by how beautiful and peaceful the campus is. Everywhere you look, there’s nature—rolling hills, tall trees, and even some trails you can explore. The mountains create such a calming backdrop, and I can already imagine how nice it would be to study or relax here. What really stood out to me, though, was how friendly everyone was. From the moment I arrived, I felt welcomed. The staff and students I met were so kind and eager to share their experiences. It’s clear that WCU has a close-knit, tight community where everyone looks out for one another. People seemed genuinely interested in making sure I felt comfortable and at ease. I could really sense the positive energy on campus. Overall, my visit to WCU left me feeling really excited about the possibility of attending. The combination of the stunning natural surroundings and the warm, welcoming vibe from everyone made it feel like a place where I could thrive both academically and personally. It’s definitely a campus where you feel like you belong.
Ariyanna
Although I am not a current student at Western Carolina University, I am an upcoming student for the Fall 2025 term; I am looking to receive a Bachelor's degree in Forensic Chemistry and a minor in Music Performance. Overall, I've been to the campus a few times and I believe this university is going to open me up to everything I am capable of accomplishing, to be me to the best of my ability.
Chase
Western Carolina University is a great school! I love the campus size and they really go out of their way to make the grounds look amazing year-round. Football games and the marching band are certainly at the top of the list of highlights, but the academics shouldn't be overlooked. The classrooms, and the technology within them, are updated regularly. I have nothing bad to say or to complain about!
Adahlyn
Home away from home. I have loved my time so far at WCU. It has the feel of a large/major university, but with the intimacy of smaller schools. The professors are available for conversations and help and class sizes are ideal.
The campus is beautiful and there is a lot going on to get involved in.
Bethany Shopland
Scenic school in the mountains that is very pretty. I like the small class sizes and have never been in a room with more than forty other students. Despite being isolated in the mountains, there are many abroad connections and I went with the marching band to march in Ireland. There is a body farm nearby for those interested in the anthropology program. I hear the teaching programs are also good which is the focus the school originally started on. I only had one incident where I walked outside of the campus and a couple of guys tried to lure me to their car. The only complaint I have is the freshmen each year and how the freshmen are treated. I did not like having to park my car on the opposite side of campus from where I lived, but I do not think freshmen should be liked either especially when most of them are annoying and at least one of them keeps trying to burn down bathrooms in their residence. But I assume arson is a common crime found on campuses similarly to finding drug cases. I recommend just not doing anything illegal and show up to get a degree and then get out.
Andrew
WCU is a good school for people who enjoy the outdoors and are focused on their studies, because there is not much to do off campus, especially if you don't have a car. The student are friendly and there is a lot of variety within the campus. The academics are good and I feel safe within campus limits.
Angalyna
I am an upcoming student who will be attending WCU in the fall, I have visited and been on a campus tour and fell in love with the atmosphere. All the people I interacted with were very welcoming and kind, the tour guides seemed to be really enthusiastic about whatever they were talking about. The campus is not large but I would call it a "big small school" All of the buildings are big and very nice. The food that I did have a chance to try was really good. WCU is one of the safest schools in the state.
zeb
I enjoy the school, it could be a whole lot better. The food isn't that good, people are always smoking and drinking. Frat and sorority life is insane here) I don't participate in it), there are always countless drinking party's every night. Its in the middle of nowhere, and theres not much to do.
Abigail
I really enjoy it here and I love the scenery. It is so pretty here in the fall and I just love it. All my professors are fantastic and make me feel prepared for my career path. I would recommend people to come here because it has been an overall great experience for me.
Caleb
I absolutely love Western Carolina they are absolutely my number one choice. they have everything you could possibly want and as a school go above and beyond. I would absolutely recommend it to any students or friends. They are a perfect mix of anything you could possibly want. I am absolutely applying early so Western if you see this please let me in.
johan
As I head into my first year of college at western I can say I’m for sure excited for what’s to come for me and the upcoming class from what I’ve seen so far and the people I’ve meet and things I’ve done around campus it’s truly something I’m ready and excited for heading into the year now.
Margaret
I came to WCU in Fall 2022 and could not have had a better experience. I am fortunate to be an honors college student with a wonderful living situation on campus. On-campus living is required for the first two years of study at this university, and all the dorms (not just the honors ones) are very well kept, clean, and are within good walking distance everywhere on campus. I love the campus because it is not too big but not too small either. Class sizes are considerably small compared to other universities and the classroom atmosphere is generally very welcoming! Sports are not too big, but there are clubs and intramural teams that compete with one another for some friendly competition. The only downside to the campus is the location, which is in Cullowhee, NC. There is nothing in the town beside the university, so off-campus activities can be a hassle because everything that is worth your time will be in neighboring cities. The mountains are absolutely gorgeous, the weather is not too bad, and the students are just so nice. I love the environment WCU has created for itself!
Nicholas
Western is a very culturally rich school that engages with the student body at every given opportunity. Not only does it embrace and preserve the surrounding Native American history and culture of the Appalachian region that it resides in, but it works to inform students about it as well as a means of spreading positive cultural awareness. The campus has multiple major sporting groups who frequently practice and participate in matches and other events both on and off campus. There is also a plethora of student-led organizations including the multiple recognized Greek life groups that hold events and gatherings on a near weekly basis.
Adriana
Western is home, like every other school we have our flaws but we are a family. We do need a lot of help when it comes to financial aid, our cafe food is not the best and the rooming feels a little over powering, but other then that western is somewhere you can grow and be yourself!
Lauren
I personally love Western. I feel very comfortable there. I have learned so much in the little amount of time I have been there. In this short time I have met my best friends that so will keep for a life time. The faculty and staff are always so nice and so helpful! They truly are there to help you succeed. The dining hall food could be better but it isn’t that bad.
The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Western Carolina University is 40%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020, _____ students were offered admission.
What should every freshman at your school know before they start?
I think that students should pick the school that they will be happiest at. It will be difficult to be successful in a place where you are not comfortable or happy. Things such as what you will be studying and overall campus envirnment should be taken seriously as well. Schools that do not specialize in certain areas can still offer good programs but if you want to do something like engineering you should look at schools that have good programs. Students should take the oppertunity to visit several different colleges and get an overall feeling about the campus. Something else important is how far away the school is from home. If you are not comfortable not being able to drive home on the weekends then you are going to be miserable stuck on campus. Just remember that college is a once in a lifetime experience and you should do the research so you can make sure it is a good one.
What kind of person should not attend this school?
The only people that should not attend Western Carolina is a person who doesn't want to learn. College is a lot of hard work, but fun when taken seriously.
Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.
Western Carolina University is a wonderful college that focuses on the students and has outstanding faculty and staff, wonderful academics, and a diverse variety of activities to accomadate every student.
What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?
If you don't have a car you have to plan your shopping trips with your friends. Oh and you have to buy a meal plan and health insurance. Those are really expensive
What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?
I brag about how great my professors have been. The genuinely care about the success of their students and they have been such a tremendous help in times of need.
What's the most frustrating thing about your school?
I would say that the most frustrating thing is budget cuts. I understand this is the entire state but I feel it is unfair. I'm very concerned that the classes I need for graduation will not be offered in the semester I need them due to these budget cuts. It has already affected other classmates of mine and I can not financially go any longer than one more year. I feel it is very unfair to us students
Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!
The location and the people are so unique. No one will ever be able to replicate what we have at WCU. We experience all four seasons, there's great hiking/kayaking/rafting/etc so close, and we're minutes from Asheville. It's more than just college, it's an experience, a way of life.
Most professors at WCU definitely go above and beyond in dealing with students. All of my professors know my name and in fact I usually end up taking more than one class with professors. I major in English with a concentration in Film Studies and I love the department since I've declared my major I have gotten to know (and become friends with) more people in the department and get to know the a lot of the department's professors. I am actually very interactive with my academic advisor because I have taken more than one of her classes.
I love WCU. I went to visit a lot of schools before choosing Western, but I am more than a little happy with my decision. The size of the college is perfect you can still meet a new person everyday but not feel like there's so many people you get lost in the crowd. We have a lot of really great professors who are more than willing to work with you. Plus, we're in a definite college town so the places around us really cater to the students. Also, our band is pretty amazing they are "the pride of the mountains." Its really easy to feel at home at Western Carolina University.
All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA.
Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.
85% of students attending Western Carolina University receive some sort of financial aid.
40% were awarded federal grants.64%received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.
