Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC wcu.edu 9,867 students

Western Carolina University is situated in the scenic mountains of western North Carolina. The campus provides a quintessential college atmosphere amidst the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Known for its strong sense of community, the university fosters a student body engaged in both academic pursuits and outdoor activities. Its location provides unique opportunities for experiential learning and recreation in the surrounding wilderness.

Programs

Analyzed in dataset

Earnings

$38,095

Average graduate, 1 yr after

Outlook

52/100

Avg DegreeOutlook Score

Tuition

$4,532

In-state sticker price

Out-of-state: $8,532/yr

Financial Aid

The sticker price is rarely what families actually pay. Western Carolina University's grant and scholarship aid lowers the net price for most income brackets. 33% of students receive Pell Grants; 44% take federal loans.

Net Price by Family Income

Academic Year 2025

Income Bracket	Avg Net Price	4-Year Net Cost
$0 – $30K	$8,571	$34,284
$30K – $48K	$10,277	$41,108
$48K – $75K	$13,085	$52,340
$75K – $110K	$15,140	$60,560
$110K+	$17,958	$71,832
Sticker price (no aid)	$4,532	$18,128

Net price = tuition + fees + room & board minus grants and scholarships, by reported family-income bracket. Source: IPEDS Student Financial Aid survey via College Scorecard.

Programs at Western Carolina University

41 degree programs ranked by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any program for AI scenario analysis and 10-year earnings projections.

Degree Program	DW Score	1-yr Earnings	AI Risk	ROI
Nursing Compare across schools →	85	$68,774/yr	High	39.2x
Public Policy Compare across schools →	77	$56,445/yr	High	32.8x
Finance Compare across schools →	71	$40,575/yr	Very High	34.7x
Construction Engineering Technologies Compare across schools →	69	$63,401/yr	Very High	46.0x
Accounting Compare across schools →	69	$40,607/yr	Very High	32.7x
Allied Health Professions Compare across schools →	68	$53,398/yr	Moderate	30.5x
Management Information Systems Compare across schools →	66	$47,867/yr	Very High	41.5x
Subject-Area Teaching Compare across schools →	65	$41,444/yr	High	25.3x
Business Administration Compare across schools →	65	$39,513/yr	High	27.1x
Electrical Engineering Compare across schools →	63	$69,067/yr	Very High	37.1x
Engineering Technology Compare across schools →	63	$59,813/yr	High	35.8x
Criminal Justice Compare across schools →	63	$38,682/yr	Moderate	28.5x
Teacher Education Compare across schools →	62	$40,594/yr	High	23.8x
Computer Science Compare across schools →	60	$28,892/yr	Very High	50.7x
Engineering Compare across schools →	58	$62,244/yr	High	33.3x
Electrical Engineering Technology Compare across schools →	57	$67,003/yr	High	36.0x
Marketing Compare across schools →	56	$33,197/yr	Very High	30.7x
Natural Resources Management and Policy Compare across schools →	54	$36,846/yr	High	22.4x
History Compare across schools →	54	$34,909/yr	High	26.8x
Parks Compare across schools →	52	$30,485/yr	Moderate	22.0x
Hospitality Management Compare across schools →	51	$29,395/yr	High	24.9x
Social Work Compare across schools →	49	$36,727/yr	Moderate	24.5x
Chemistry Compare across schools →	49	$26,513/yr	High	31.4x
Special Education and Teaching Compare across schools →	48	$41,376/yr	High	22.9x
Rehabilitation Therapies Compare across schools →	47	$37,608/yr	Moderate	23.8x
Design Compare across schools →	46	$32,842/yr	High	27.5x
Health & Physical Education Compare across schools →	45	$32,428/yr	Moderate	21.6x
Biology Compare across schools →	45	$28,381/yr	High	29.5x
Romance Languages Compare across schools →	44	$36,179/yr	Very High	19.0x
Mathematics Compare across schools →	44	$34,802/yr	Very High	22.8x
Music Compare across schools →	43	$26,135/yr	High	26.0x
Communication and Media Studies Compare across schools →	42	$28,996/yr	High	25.8x
Sociology Compare across schools →	40	$23,374/yr	High	25.9x
Anthropology Compare across schools →	39	$28,262/yr	High	19.8x
Psychology Compare across schools →	39	$27,505/yr	High	21.4x
English Compare across schools →	35	$29,927/yr	Very High	18.8x
Fine Arts Compare across schools →	35	$24,253/yr	Moderate	18.5x
Communication Disorders Compare across schools →	34	$24,521/yr	High	24.2x
Theater & Drama Compare across schools →	31	$21,824/yr	Moderate	18.4x
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication Compare across schools →	31	$19,125/yr	High	13.0x
Dietetics & Nutrition Compare across schools →	29	$17,970/yr	High	23.3x