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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
9,956
Undergraduates
4,272
Men - 42.9%
5,685
Women - 57.1%
1,679
Graduate Students
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Entrance Difficulty
Moderately difficult
Overall Admission Rate
85% of 17,916 applicants were admitted
Early Action Offered
Yes
Early Decision Offered
No
Regular Admission Deadline
February 1
Qualifications of Enrolled Freshmen
Average GPA
3.41
SAT Math
500-600 range of middle 50%
SAT EBRW
520-640 range of middle 50%
ACT Composite
19-26 range of middle 50%
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Cost of Attendance
In-state: $17,778
Out-of-state: $21,778
Tuition and Fees
In-state: $4,631
Out-of-state: $8,631
Room and Board
$11,179
Average Percent of Need Met
65%
Average Freshman Award
$9,291
Average Indebtedness of 2018 Graduates
$29,213
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Academic Calendar System
Semester
General Education/Core Curriculum
Required for most or all students
Full-Time Faculty Teaching Undergraduates
549
Regular Class Size (Students)
2-9
11%
10-19
19%
20-29
34%
30-39
24%
40-49
9%
50-99
2%
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
1%
Asian
1.3%
Black/African-American
6.4%
Hispanic/Latino
8.1%
Multi-race (not Hispanic/Latino)
3.7%
Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander
0.1%
White
78.2%
Unknown
1.2%
International Students
2.3%
First-Year Students Returning
71.3%
Students Graduating Within 4 Years
43.4%
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 2022-23 academic year.
A portion of the College Profile data is provided under license by:
Peterson's Undergraduate and Undergraduate Financial Aid Databases, copyright © 2023 Peterson's LLC. All rights reserved.