Western Carolina University
#4 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in North Carolina- Graduation Rate
- 60% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $49,458 B-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $13,315 C+
- 22% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 82% C-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 21.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $21.9 over 20 years. Ranked #4 in Best Criminal Justice Colleges in North Carolina.
Every $1 spent returns $21.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,110,744.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 21% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $21.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Western Carolina University Matters
Western Carolina University is a public doctoral / professional university in Cullowhee, NC and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Doctoral / Professional University
- Carnegie Class
- Doctoral/Professional
- Enrollment
- 10,024
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Education, Psychology
Why students choose Western Carolina University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 82% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1080–1270. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $13,315 a year after grants and scholarships — 22% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $49,458 ten years after enrolling — 21% above the typical college, against $21,868 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.1% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 70% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.30 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 82%, Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC is an inviting choice for students looking for a supportive academic environment. It’s particularly appealing for those interested in fields like Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Education, Psychology, and Visual & Performing Arts. The diverse program offerings mean students can find a path that resonates with their passions and career goals.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $49,458 within a decade. This figure is significant because it reflects the potential return on investment for graduates, especially considering the relatively affordable net price of $13,315 after aid. With 35% of students receiving Pell Grants, many find financial assistance to help ease the burden of costs, making it more accessible for individuals from varying economic backgrounds.
When looking at the practical side of things, the median debt for graduates is $21,868, which is manageable compared to the earnings potential. This affordability makes it easier for students to thrive without being overly weighed down by loans after they graduate. The community here tends to attract those who appreciate a balance of academic rigor and a supportive atmosphere, making it a solid choice for many.
Rankings
- #4 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in North Carolina
- #5 Best Nursing Colleges in North Carolina
- #5 Best Education Colleges in North Carolina
- #8 Best Online Colleges in North Carolina
- #9 Best Business Colleges in North Carolina
- #11 Best Colleges in North Carolina
- #11 Best Bachelor's Programs in North Carolina
- #11 Best Master's Programs in North Carolina
Can I Get In?
How selective Western Carolina University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Western Carolina University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Cullowhee, North Carolina, Western Carolina University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 82%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,157. The graduation rate is roughly 60%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 82%
- Retention Rate
- 79%
- SAT Average
- 1157
- ACT Midpoint
- 22
- SAT Range
- 1080–1270
- ACT Range
- 19–25
- Full-Time Faculty
- 74%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,069
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.42
- First-Gen Students
- 33%
- Applicants
- 17,917
- Admitted
- 15,201
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Western Carolina University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Western Carolina University is $8,630, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $13,315. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $8,816 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,868 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $4,630
- Out-of-State
- $8,630
- Avg Net Price
- $13,315
- Median Debt
- $21,868
- Pell Grant Rate
- 35%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 44%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $8,816
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $10,012
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $12,605
- Family Income $110K+
- $17,992
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Western Carolina University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Western Carolina University earn a median of $49,458, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $43,085
- 8 Years
- $45,617
- 10 Years
- $49,458
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.44x
- Earning > $25K
- 63%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (754)
- 43%
- 100% (754)
- 43%
- 100% (754)
- 43%
- 100% (754)
- 43%
How Western Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Western Carolina University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Western Carolina University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $13,315/year ($53,260 total). Graduates earn $49,458 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,164,004 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,110,744 (21.9× your investment). The median debt is $21,868, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 60% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $53,260
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,164,004
- Net Return
- $1,110,744
- ROI Multiple
- 21.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $13,315
- Median Debt
- $21,868
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 60%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Western Carolina University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Western Carolina University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.11%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 15.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $88,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.11%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 15.8%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 7.0%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $88,000
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $4,992,899
- Investment Income
- $5,879,835
Top Programs
The fields Western Carolina University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Health Professions 22%
- Business & Marketing 21%
- Education 8%
- Psychology 6%
- Visual & Performing Arts 6%
- Criminal Justice 5%
- Social Sciences 3%
- Physical Sciences 3%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Western Carolina University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CPhysicist$142,850 · 5% growthAdaptable 66
- CAstronomer$142,850 · 4% growthAdaptable 66
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Western Carolina University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Cullowhee, North Carolina, Western Carolina University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 82%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,157. The graduation rate is roughly 60%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Western Carolina University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Western Carolina University is $8,630, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $13,315. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $8,816 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,868 in federal student loans.
Is Western Carolina University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Western Carolina University earn a median of $49,458, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Western Carolina University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Western Carolina University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.11%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 15.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $88,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Western Carolina University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Western Carolina University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.30, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.05), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Western Carolina University.
- The University of Tennessee-ChattanoogaChattanooga, TN · Close peer52% grad $51,151 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Southern Utah UniversityCedar City, UT · Close peer60% grad $50,296 earn 82% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Southern Illinois University-CarbondaleCarbondale, IL · Close peer59% grad $53,390 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Eastern Michigan UniversityYpsilanti, MI · Close peer46% grad $51,793 earn 80% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Coastal Carolina UniversityConway, SC · Close peer50% grad $47,258 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- University of Wisconsin-WhitewaterWhitewater, WI · Close peer62% grad $55,356 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar net price
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Western Carolina University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Western Carolina University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.30, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.05), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note