What is Western Carolina University's acceptance rate?

Western Carolina University admitted 16,138 of 19,728 first-year applicants for 2024-25, an acceptance rate of 81.8%, according to its Common Data Set.

Does Western Carolina University have early decision?

No. Western Carolina University does not offer early decision, per its 2024-25 Common Data Set.

What SAT score do you need for Western Carolina University?

The middle 50% of Western Carolina University's enrolled first-years scored 1075–1260 on the SAT and 19–25 on the ACT.

How much does Western Carolina University cost?

Tuition is $1,000 in-state, before aid. The average need-based grant is $7,329.

What is Western Carolina University's graduation rate?

60.3% of students graduate within six years.

All colleges

Western Carolina University Common Data Set 2024-25

NCTest policy: Test-optional: SAT or ACT recommended, not required; scores considered if submitted; not used for advising. AP, CLEP and institutional exams used for placement.Compare with other schools AP credit

Acceptance rate

81.8%

16,138 of 19,728

Early decision rate

No ED

SAT middle 50%

1075–1260

ACT middle 50%

19–25

Admissions

AppliedC1	19,728
AdmittedC1	16,138
EnrolledC1	2,044
YieldC1	12.7%
Early decisionC21	Not offered
Early actionC22	Offered, counts not reported

Waitlist

Offered a placeC2	—
Accepted a placeC2	—
Admitted from waitlistC2	—
Odds if you stay on the listC2	—

Test scores and GPA

Submitted SATC9	6%
Submitted ACTC9	19%
SAT Reading & Writing (25th–75th)C9	560–660
SAT Math (25th–75th)C9	520–610
Average high school GPAC12	3.43
GPA of 4.0C11	5%
GPA 3.75–3.99C11	22%
GPA 3.50–3.74C11	21%
GPA below 3.50C11	51%

Cost and financial aid

Tuition, in-stateG1	$1,000
Tuition, out-of-stateG1	$5,000
Required feesG1	$3,685
Food and housingG1	—
Need fully met (first-years)H2	5.3%
Average % of need metH2	64%
Average need-based packageH2	$10,211
Average need-based grantH2	$7,329

What admissions looks at

Rigor of secondary school recordVery important
Class rankVery important
Academic GPAVery important
Standardized test scoresVery important
Application essayImportant
Recommendation(s)Important
InterviewConsidered
Extracurricular activitiesImportant
Talent/abilityImportant
Character/personal qualitiesImportant
First generationConsidered
Alumni/ae relationNot considered
Geographical residenceConsidered
State residencyConsidered
Religious affiliation/commitmentNot considered
Volunteer workConsidered
Work experienceImportant
Level of applicant's interestImportant

From item C7.

Outcomes

UndergraduatesB1	10,112
First-year retentionB22	79.1%
4-year graduation rateB	—
6-year graduation rateB	60.3%

Notes on this filing

C1101-C1109 GPA bands used; C1202 reports 100% submitted GPA, and the all-enrolled bands (C1121-C1129) are blank. Printed bands total 99% (5+22+21+19+15+17), so pct_below_3_50 (51) is the sum of the three bands below 3.50 as printed.
C2 waitlist: C202, C203 and C204 are blank, so all three waitlist counts are null.
C2201 (early action offered) is blank; C2101 early decision is N.
C8F clarification is blank; test policy taken from C802-C804 (Recommended) and C8G (AP, CLEP, institutional exam for placement).
Graduation 4-year: the Fall 2018 four-year completion rows are blank with a total of 0, so grad_rate_4yr is null. 6-year rate is 60.3% as printed.
Retention 79.11% is from B22 (Fall 2023 cohort, Fall 2024 enrollment).
Cost: public institution with different in-district, in-state and out-of-state tuition. Tuition in-state is G104 ($1,000) and out-of-state is G105 ($5,000); no single tuition figure. Required fees are G111 ($3,685). Food and housing combined (G112/G116) is blank; housing only is $6,896 and food only is $4,849, so room_and_board is null.
H2 first-time full-time first-year column used. pct_with_need_awarded_aid is null because no printed percent exists for that measure. pct_need_fully_met = 69 / 1306 (line d) = 5.3%.
Year is 2024-25 based on Fall 2024 enrollment and 2024-25 CDS form.

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Western Carolina University admissions FAQ

What is Western Carolina University's acceptance rate?: Western Carolina University admitted 16,138 of 19,728 first-year applicants for 2024-25, an acceptance rate of 81.8%, according to its Common Data Set.
Does Western Carolina University have early decision?: No. Western Carolina University does not offer early decision, per its 2024-25 Common Data Set.
What SAT score do you need for Western Carolina University?: The middle 50% of Western Carolina University's enrolled first-years scored 1075–1260 on the SAT and 19–25 on the ACT.
How much does Western Carolina University cost?: Tuition is $1,000 in-state, before aid. The average need-based grant is $7,329.
What is Western Carolina University's graduation rate?: 60.3% of students graduate within six years.

Source: Western Carolina University Common Data Set 2024-25 . “—” means the college left the item blank.