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Western Carolina University, founded in 1889, is a public, multipurpose university. It is a comprehensive university within the University of North Carolina system, offering a broad array of undergraduate and graduate programs. The university is committed to a technology-centered environment. The campus is totally networked: Students have access to the network from their dorm rooms. All freshmen are required to have personal computers. The institution is a leader in the use of electronic classrooms in education. The school is in a beautiful rural environment near the Tsali Biking Trail, the Great Smoky Mountains and the Nantahala Outdoor Center, with opportunities for rafting, hiking and other outdoor activities. The 265-acre campus is located in Cullowhee, 65 miles west of Asheville.

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collegeType
Public
studentType
Coed
10,009
Undergraduates
4,244
Men - 42.4%
5,766
Women - 57.6%
1,679
Graduate Students
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Entrance Difficulty
Moderately difficult
Overall Admission Rate
86% of 18,236 applicants were admitted
Early Action Offered
Yes
Early Decision Offered
No
Regular Admission Deadline
February 1
Qualifications of Enrolled Freshmen
Average GPA
3.4
SAT Math
510-610 range of middle 50%
SAT EBRW
540-645 range of middle 50%
ACT Composite
20-26 range of middle 50%
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Cost of Attendance
In-state: $20,028
Out-of-state: $24,028
Tuition and Fees
In-state: $4,532
Out-of-state: $8,532
Room and Board
$11,545
Average Percent of Need Met
68%
Average Freshman Award
$10,622
Average Indebtedness of 2024 Graduates
$28,662
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Academic Calendar System
Semester
General Education/Core Curriculum
Required for most or all students
Full-Time Faculty Teaching Undergraduates
436
Regular Class Size (Students)
2-9
12%
10-19
22%
20-29
30%
30-39
18%
40-49
15%
50-99
3%
Over 100
1%
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Cullowhee Population
6,228
Nearest Metropolitan Area
Not reported
Freshman Housing Guarantee
College offers housing to students
Athletic Conferences
NCAA Division I
Mascot
Catamount
Sororities
Not reported
Fraternities
Not reported
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Ethnicity of Students from U.S.
American Indian/Alaskan Native
0.9%
Asian
1.3%
Black/African-American
6.7%
Hispanic/Latino
8.8%
Multi-race (not Hispanic/Latino)
4%
Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander
0.1%
White
77.4%
Unknown
0.9%
International Students
1.5%
First-Year Students Returning
75.5%
Students Graduating Within 4 Years
Not reported
Graduates Offered Full-Time Employment Within 6 Months
Not reported
Graduates Pursuing Advanced Study Directly
Not reported
Undergraduate and Undergraduate Financial Aid data displayed on CollegeData’s college profiles is from the 2023-24 academic year.
A portion of the College Profile data is provided under license by:
Peterson's Undergraduate and Undergraduate Financial Aid Databases, copyright © 2024 Peterson's LLC. All rights reserved.