Acceptance rate
81.8%
Western Carolina University
Admission Chances & Acceptance Rate
Western Carolina is a public university in Cullowhee, North Carolina, with about 11,600 students and an 82% acceptance rate. It's less selective than many four-year institutions. The school's strongest programs are in health professions and business, which together account for 43% of degrees awarded. About 60% of students graduate within six years, and graduates earn a median of $49,458 ten years after enrollment.
Enrollment
11,635
Test policy
optional
Grad rate (6-yr)
60%
Will you get into Western Carolina University?
Enter your GPA, SAT & ACT and get your personal admission probability — free, no credit card.
Calculate my chances →◴ Admitted Student Profile
The middle 50% of admitted students (25th–75th percentile), self-reported by the school.
SAT (combined)
1080 – 1270
ACT (composite)
19 – 25
GPA
3.09 – 3.79
$ What You'll Actually Pay
Average yearly net price after grants & scholarships, by family income (federal cohort averages — not a personal quote).
$0–30k
$8,816
family income
$30–48k
$10,012
family income
$48–75k
$12,605
family income
$75–110k
$17,060
family income
$110k+
$17,992
family income
35% receive Pell grants
44% take federal loans
✦ Strongest Programs
The fields Western Carolina University graduates the most students in — a signal of depth, faculty, and alumni networks.
Health Professions
21.6%
Business & Marketing
20.7%
Education
7.7%
Public Administration
6.1%
Psychology
5.9%
↗ Outcomes
School-level averages across all students who enrolled (College Scorecard). Not a personal forecast.
Earnings (10 yr)
$49,458
Earnings (6 yr)
$43,085
Completion
60%
Retention
79%
Median debt
$21,868
? Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Western Carolina University?
Western Carolina University has an acceptance rate of 81.8%, making it relatively accessible.
What GPA do you need to get into Western Carolina University?
Admitted students at Western Carolina University typically have a GPA between 3.09 and 3.79 (25th–75th percentile). Use UniversityOdds to see how your exact GPA, SAT, and ACT compare.
What SAT score do you need for Western Carolina University?
The middle 50% of admitted students scored between 1080 and 1270 on the SAT. The ACT range is 19–25.
How much does Western Carolina University actually cost?
After grants and scholarships, the average net price for the lowest income band is $8,816 per year, rising to $17,992 for families earning $110k+. These are federal cohort averages, not a personal quote.
What are my chances of getting into Western Carolina University?
Your odds depend on how your GPA and test scores compare to admitted students, plus factors like major, residency, and early decision. UniversityOdds calculates a personalized probability for free — enter your stats to see yours.
See your real odds at Western Carolina University and ~50 top schools
UniversityOdds compares your profile to real admissions data — and tells you honestly when it's guessing.
Get my free odds →Data sourced from IPEDS, the Common Data Set, and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Acceptance probabilities calculated by UniversityOdds are estimates based on published academic data and are not a guarantee of admission. Net price figures are federal cohort averages, not personalized quotes — run the school's official net price calculator for your own estimate.