Description
Part of the UNC System, Western Carolina University has served North Carolina students for over 120 years. The main campus in Cullowhee is a nature lover’s dream, situated on the Tuckasegee River between the Great Smoky and Blue Ridge Mountain.
Because of its location in the heart of Appalachia, WCU is dedicated to the study, appreciation, and preservation of local cultures. The Mountain Heritage Center and Cherokee Center provide exhibitions and educational opportunities, while the school’s Craft Revival project archives the region’s rich tradition of artisanship.
But just as it is committed to preserving the past, Western Carolina University also looks toward the future. This is reflected by its academics, which includee programs in growing fields like technology, education, and healthcare.
WCU prides itself on its project management and entrepreneurship programs, as well as a rare program forensic anthropology.
On-campus studying is not always convenient, so Western Carolina also offers a variety of distance learning programs to meet all of its students’ needs. The school has online programs for undergraduate and graduate degrees, certificates and licensures.
The off-site Bachelor’s in Engineering Technology program is ideal for the currently employed, and the Jamaica program offers a unique opportunity to study education in Kingston.
Quick Facts
Location
Southeast
Setting
Small Town Setting
Type
Public
Size
Large (5,000 to 10,000 Undergrad)
Mascots
Catamounts, Lady Cats
Website
On-Campus Housing Available
Yes
In-State Tuition
$4,330
Out-of-State Tuition
$13,927
Selectivity
Highly Selective
Enrollment
9,429
Students
- Full-Time Undergrad Students
- 7,130
- Freshman Class
- 1,224
- Total Students (Undergrads & Graduate Students)
- 9,429
Undergraduate vs. Graduate
- Undergraduate
- 75%
- Graduate
- 25%
Full-Time vs. Part-time Students
- Full-Time
- 99%
- Part-Time
- 1%
Students Coming From In-State vs. Out-of-State
- In-State
- 91%
- Out-of-State
- 9%
Gender of Students
- Women
- 51%
- Men
- 49%
Ethnic Diversity
- African-American
- 6%
- Caucasian
- 85%
- Latino
- 1%
- Other
- 8%
Students State Origin
- North Carolina
- 91%
- Georgia
- 2%
- Virginia
- 1%
- Other
- 6%
International Students
- International
- 3%
- Domestic
- 97%
