- About Western Carolina
- About
- Fast Facts
Fast Facts
Western Carolina University is the UNC system's westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the Top 10 public regional institutions in the South.
Location
WCU’s main campus sits in Cullowhee, North Carolina, near the Great Smoky and Blue Ridge mountains, fifty-two miles west of Asheville. The location in the rural mountains amidst incredible biodiversity and unique communities creates an opportunity for academic discovery service. The campus covers approximately 600 acres.
WCU also operates an instructional site at Biltmore Park Towne Square in Asheville, where the university offers degree programs in nursing and engineering as well as graduate programs in accounting, business administration, entrepreneurship, and education.
Enrollment
WCU’s student body is comprised of more than 11,000 students including more than 9,000 undergraduate students.
Approximately 59 percent of students are female and 41 percent male. More than 23 percent of students self-identify as part of a racial minority group. More than 71 percent of students are between the ages of 18 and 24.
Academic Programs
WCU provides more than 115 undergraduate majors and concentrations and more than 40 graduate programs with a focus on high-demand degrees including a variety of programs in engineering, science, healthcare, education, humanities, business and the arts.
Approximately 64 percent of all classes have fewer than 30 students, and the student/faculty ratio is 17 to 1.
Residence Life
More than 4,500 of WCU’s students live on campus in Cullowhee. The campus includes 17 residence buildings.
Brinson Honors College students reside together in one of the central campus residence halls, and Greek organizations have access to a group of townhouses known as The Village.
Campus Dining
On-campus dining options include two cafeterias stocked from local farms along with multiple national brand options such as Chick-Fil-A, Starbuck’s, Moe's Southwest Grill, Starbucks and others.
There are also Provisions On Demand and C-Stores which have a variety of fresh fruit, dairy, snacks, frozen entrees, and household and personal items available for purchase.
Tuition and Fees
Western Carolina is committed to maintaining accessibility and works to keep costs down while providing the absolute best quality education. As an NC Promise campus, students receive the same high-quality education experience for an even greater value.
Approximately 83 percent of WCU students receive some form of financial aid.
NC Promise
The State of North Carolina established the NC Promise Tuition Plan to increase access to a quality university education by reducing student costs. Through NC Promise, tuition for all undergraduate students at WCU has been reduced to $500 per fall, spring, and summer semesters for in-state students and $2,500 for out-of-state students.
Accreditations
Western Carolina University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees and holds 21 special program accreditations. WCU is also a member of more than 30 state and national associations and organizations.
Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404.679.4500 for questions about the accreditation of Western Carolina.
2023 Fall Enrollment
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Total: 11,628
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Undergraduate: 10,009
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Graduate: 1,619
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In-state students: 9,719
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Out-of-state students: 1,909