Western Carolina University
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Western Carolina University: Overview, Rankings, Fees & Courses, Placements

  • C++ Shiksha Grade
  • Institute Icon600 acre campus
  • Estd. 1889
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About Western Carolina University

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Year of establishment
1889
Also known as
WCU
University website
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Student website
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Total foreign students
186
Campus size
600 acres
No. of campus
1
Endowment value
USD 130 million
Scholarships granted
9748
Scholarship amount granted
USD 43 million
English proficiency test
Required
Accepted exams
SAT/ACT accepted
Optional
Total faculty
549
Faculty/Student ratio
16
Male/Female ratio
1.43
UG/PG course ratio
2.87
Total criminal offences
269
Quick university statsInsights on student demographics, enrolment, and academic success
UG Race

Others

83%

Hispanic

7%

Black

6%

Asian

1%

UG Student residence

In state

80%

Out of state

19%

UG Age distribution

24 and under

78%

25 and over

21%

UG Applicant Icon

UG Number of Applicant

17917
grad RateIcon

Overall Graduation Rate

0.61
UG Enroll Icon

UG Enrollment

9956
PG Enroll Icon

PG Enrollment

1679
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Commonly asked questions
On Highlights

Q:   What GPA is required for Western Carolina University admission?

A: 

International students who wish to study graduate programme at Western Carolina University must have at least GPA of 3.0 on ascale of 4.0. Admission to any graduate programme at WCU requires a GPA score. Applicants also meet the general entry requirements to get admission to the university.

Q:   How much does it cost to apply to Western Carolina University?

A: 

The Western Carolina University application fee for UG and PG application is USD 65 or INR 5,415.78. International students who wish to study at the university must pay a non-refundable application fee. 

(USD 1 = INR 83.32 as on 29-May-2024)

Q:   How is the Western Carolina University campus life?

A: 

Western Carolina University has its main campus in Cullowhee and operates two satellite campuses in Asheville and Cherokee. 600+ acres in size, the main campus consists of well-maintained buildings, athletic facilities, pathways, green lawns, and parking spaces.

It features 17 residence halls that accommodate over 4,500 students. A full-service cafeteria and two food courts with various fast-food outlets serve a variety of cuisines and beverages to suit different tastes. Other on-campus facilities include a bookstore, health, and counseling center, movie theatre, post office, student support center, jogging trail, recreation center, tennis courts, and two indoor swimming pools.

Also, the university has over 170 clubs and organizations that focus on academic, social and personal interests like public speaking, sports, dance, and music. Several sororities and fraternities encourage participation in various events and activities to promote cultural unity and friendships. WCU has 16 men's and women's varsity teams, who represent the university in intercollegiate events and competitions under the name Catamounts.

Overall, the Western Carolina University campus life is full of cultures, traditions, diversity, entertainment, and more.

Q:   How to get into Western Carolina University from India?

A: 

In order to secure an admission, all the international students must fulfill the Western Carolina University admission requirements listed below:

1) Undergraduate Requirements:

  • Official high school transcripts (English translation);
  • Proof of English language proficiency;
  • Proof of finances; and
  • Immunization information form.

2) Graduate Requirements:

Q:   Where do graduates of Western Carolina University work?

A: 

Post their graduation from Western Carolina University, graduates to work with top companies around the globe. Some of them are:

Company/OrganizationPercentage of Students
Western Carolina University46%
Wells Fargo7%
Atrium Health6%
Lowe's Companies5%
Novant Health4%
Duke Energy Corporations4%
Eaton4%
Bank of America4%

Western Carolina University Scholarships 2024

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Commonly asked questions
On Scholarships

Q:   Does Western Carolina University offer scholarships for international students?

A: 

No, Western Carolina University does not offer any scholarships for their international students. Before getting enrolled in the university, all the overseas applicants are required to submit their proof of sufficient funds for the entire course of study. It is interesting to note that a range of scholarships for international students are offered by external agencies and philanthropists. Also, Indian students can avail one of the following scholarships in order to reduce the expensive cost of studying in USA:

Q:   Is studying in Western Carolina University expensive?

A: 

Annual tuition fee required to pursue a degree course at Western Carolina University is around 15 L on an average, which can be considered expensive as a study abroad option. Students can refer to the table for course-specific fees requirements:

Courses1st Year Tuition Fees
MBA/PGDM (1 course)
INR 17 L
MS (4 courses)
INR 16 L
B.Sc. (5 courses)
INR 7 L
B.A. (1 course)
INR 7 L
B.E. / B.Tech (5 courses)
INR 7 L
BBA (2 courses)
INR 7 L
M.A. (1 course)
INR 16 L
MFA (1 course)
INR 16 L
MPA (1 course)
INR 16 L

Q:   Does Western Carolina give scholarships to International students?

A: 

Western Carolina University offers numerous scholarships to International students according to their eligibility. In addition, WCU’s scholarship support staff works to connect students with state-administered scholarship opportunities and others. Western Carolina University scholarships are available in three categories:

  • Donor Supported Scholarships
  • Academic Scholarships
  • Graduate Students

Western Carolina University Application Deadlines 2024

  • Application fees :No Fees
  • Type of deadline :Depends on course
Document IconDocuments
Type of documentsApplicable for
SOPNot required
LORNeeded for few courses
EssaysNeeded for few courses
CVNeeded for few courses
Additional documentsRequired
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Calendar IconImportant dates
Intake seasonDeadline
Fall1ˢᵗ Feb - 1ˢᵗ May 2025
Spring1ˢᵗ Oct - 1ˢᵗ Dec 2024
Admission details of all coursesRight Arrow Icon
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Commonly asked questions
On Admissions

Q:   How long does it take to get an offer letter from Western Carolina University?

A: 

Western Carolina University accepts international applications either through the Common Application or the ApplyTexas website for Bachelor's courses and Graduate Application portal for Master's courses. Once a candidate has applied to the university and submitted all the required documents, it takes the university about 2 weeks to evaluate applications and send out the admission offers. Students must note that they need to fulfill all the Western Carolina entry requirements in order to get admitted in the university.

Q:   When can international students apply for Western Carolina University?

A: 

Western Carolina University allows overseas candidates to apply for admissions in three intake seasonsSummer, Fall, and Spring. Given below are the Western Carolina application deadlines for international students:

Intake Season

Application Deadline

Spring

Oct 1, 2024

Fall

Feb 1, 2025

Summer

Apr 1, 2025

Q:   Is there an application fee for Western Carolina University?

A: 

Yes, Western Carolina charges an application fee of USD 55 (INR 5.4 K) for admissions. Since the Western Carolina University application fee is non-refundable, applicants do not receive any refund even if they withdraw the application. While applying for Western Carolina admissions, students must pay the above listed amount.

Conversion Rate: 1 USD = INR 83.32

Q:   What is the acceptance rate of Western Carolina University?

A: 

As per the ratio of admissions to applications, the Western Carolina University acceptance rate stands at 94%. Since, the stats are on the higher end, we can conclude that the university is a not a very competitive university to get in, as it admits more than half of the applicants. Once an applicant fulfills the Western Carolina University admission requirements, i.e.; competitive grades, standardized test scores, English language requirements, as well as relevant documents, they are most likely to secure admission in the university. However, students must not take this lightly and apply to the university within the deadlines to get enrolled as student.

Note: The data has been derived from the unofficial sources and is subjected to changes.

Q:   Is Western Carolina University hard to get into?

A: 

Western Carolina acceptance rate is 83.26% for the fall of 2023-24. The university recieves 19,234 applications among which 16,014 get admission offer. WCU acceptance rate declining from 84.86% in 2022-23 to 83.26% in 2023-24. Mentioned below are the WCU enrollment stats for the fall of 2023-24:

Particulars

Stats 2022-2023

Stats 2023-2024

Application Received

17,916

19,234

Admitted Students

15,203

16,014

Acceptance Rate

84.86%

83.26%

Western Carolina University Fees, Duration & Entry Requirements 2024

Accordion Icon V3
Courses1st Year Tuition FeesDuration & Eligibility
B.E. / B.Tech(5 courses)
INR 7 L
Duration4 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 6 & Above, TOEFL: 75 & Above, PTE: 50 & Above
B.Sc.(5 courses)
INR 7 L
Duration4 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 6 & Above, TOEFL: 75 & Above, PTE: 50 & Above
MS(4 courses)
INR 16 L
Duration18-24 months
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 79 - 80, PTE: 56 & Above
BBA(2 courses)
INR 7 L
Duration4 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 6 & Above, TOEFL: 75 & Above, PTE: 50 & Above
MBA/PGDM(1 course)
INR 17 L
Duration16-32 months
Exam AcceptedGMAT, GRE, IELTS: 6.5 & Above
B.A.(1 course)
INR 7 L
Duration4 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 6 & Above, TOEFL: 75 & Above, PTE: 50 & Above
M.A.(1 course)
INR 16 L
Duration2 years
Exam AcceptedGRE, IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 79 & Above
MFA(1 course)
INR 16 L
Duration3 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 79 & Above, PTE: 56 & Above
MPA(1 course)
INR 16 L
Duration2 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 79 & Above, PTE: 56 & Above
Read more
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Commonly asked questions
On Fees and Eligibility

Q:   Does Western Carolina University require IELTS?

A: 

Yes, meeting the English language requirements is one of the major Western Carolina University eligibility criteria for international students. It accepts major English exam scores as proof of English language proficiency. Students can refer to the table below for minimum score requirements:

English Proficiency Exam

UG Minimum Score Requirements

PG Minimum Score Requirements

IELTS iBT

Overall score of 75 or higher

Overall score of 79 or higher

IELTS Academic

Overall score of 6.0 or higher

(with no less than 5.0 in each band)

Overall score of 6.5 or higher

(with no less than 6.0 in each band)

PTE Academic

Overall score of 50 or higher

Overall score of 56 or higher

SAT

880 or higher

-

ACT

18 or higher

-

Q:   How much does Western Carolina University cost for Indian students?

A: 

Studying in the Western Carolina University can be considered affordable for Indian students as the cost sums up to be around INR 15 L on an average. Students can refer to the table for course-specific fees requirements:

Courses1st Year Tuition Fees
MBA/PGDM (1 course)
INR 17 L
B.Sc. (5 courses)
INR 7 L
MBA/PGDM (1 course)
INR 7 L
M.A. (1 course)
INR 16 L
MPA (1 course)
INR 16 L

Q:   What are the requirements to get into Western Carolina University?

A: 

Applicants who wish to enroll at WCU to study UG and PG degrees must meet the entry requirements for Western Carolina University admission. They also meet the WCU English requirements to complete the application. International students must have a high school or its equivalent degree to enroll at WCU UG degree and a bachelor’s degree to apply for Western Carolina graduate admission. Mentioned below are the Western Carolina University requirements for UG admissions:

WCU UG admission requirements:

  • Submit an official high school transcript (or its equivalent) at the time of application and before WCU application deadlines.
  • Students have the option to submit an ACT or SAT test score
  • Proof of English language proficiency
  • Application essay
  • Letters of Recommendation (LORs)

Q:   Is Western Carolina University expensive?

A: 

Western Carolina University tuition fees for International students varies between INR 7 L and INR 17 L for first-year. Mentioned below is the list of Western Carolina courses with firts-year tuition fees:

Courses

1st Year Tuition Fees

MBA/PGDM (16-32 months)

INR 17 L

BE/BTech (4 years)

INR 7 L

MS (18-24 months)

INR 16 L - 17 L

BSc (4 years)

INR 7 L

BA (4 years)

INR 7 L

MBA/PGDM4 (4 years)

INR 7 L

MA (2 years)

INR 16 L

MBA/PGDM4 (18-24 months)

INR 16 L

MPA (2 years)

INR 16 L

Read about the Cost of Studying in the USA for International Students

Western Carolina University Placements

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Commonly asked questions
On Placements

Q:   How competitive are the admissions at Western Carolina University in 2024?

A: 

Admissions at Western Carolina University are not highly competitive in 2024 as out of 100 applications the university accepts around 83. The WCU acceptance rate is 83% for the fall of 2023-24. Mentioned below are the Western Carolina University enrollment statistics for UG:

Particulars

Stats 2023-2024

Application Received

19,234

Admitted Students

16,014

Total Students Enrolled

2,118

Yield Rate

13.2%

Acceptance Rate

83.26%







Western Carolina University Rankings 2024

C++Overall University Grade
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Commonly asked questions
On Rankings

Q:   What are the benefits of studying in Western Carolina University?

A: 

Western Carolina University is one of the best universities in USA and attracts bright minds from all over the world. Listed below are some of the benefits of attending the university:

  • Strong academic reputation;
  • Affordable tuition fees;
  • Inclusive and diverse community of students;
  • Variety of generous scholarships and grants offered;
  • Safe surroundings;
  • Exceptional sports/recreation facilities; and
  • Strong economy and job market in USA.

WCU
College comparison

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Compare WCU with other similar colleges

B.E. / B.Tech
B.Sc.
MS
BBA
MBA/PGDM
B.A.
M.A.
MFA
MPA
College1st Year Tuition FeesShiksha GradeRanking

WCU

INR 7.27 L - 7.48 LC++#227 US News, 2024

U of M Crookston

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INR 9.67 L - 11.06 L-/- -/-
INR 14.52 L - 14.99 L-/- -/-

Texas College

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INR 6.92 L-/- -/-

Clarion University of Pennsylvania

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INR 9.15 L-/- -/-
INR 7.8 L-/- -/-
The values are of the latest years available with Shiksha. For more details, check detailed comparison
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WCU
Studying in USA

Key Facts About USA

Insights on education, demographics & weather.
Education in USA
school Key Fact Icon
963+
backpack Key Fact Icon
3.38L
cashRegister Key Fact Icon
20 hours per week
cashRegister Key Fact Icon
12 months
Country stats
mapPin Key Fact Icon
Washington D.C.
keyUsers Key Fact Icon
334.23M (2023)
chartMixed Key Fact Icon
2%
letterA Key Fact Icon
English
Weather
January
CF
Popular LocationsMinMax
Boston-53
New York-34
Chicago-60
Los Angeles1020
Explore popular study abroad destinations
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
On Study in Country

Q:   Which are some of the top-ranked universities in USA?

A: 

USA is one of the most popular countries for study abroad options for international students and is a hub of globally renowned universities. According to the QS World University Rankings 2025, some top universities in USA are Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University, Stanford University, and many more. 

Given below is the list of top Universities in USA as mentioned in the prominent rankings.

University

QS Global Rankings 2025

Massachusetts Institute of Technology University (MIT)

#1

Harvard University

#4

Stanford University

#6

California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

#10

University of Pennsylvania

#11

University of California, Berkeley (UCB)

#12

Cornell University

#16

Princeton University

#22

Yale University

#23

John Hopkins University

#32

Q:   Do universities in USA offer scholarships to international students?

A: 

Opting to study abroad is a major step that students take for their career and managing the expenses (including the tuition fee and living costs) play a deciding factor in this decision. Here is where scholarships dive in and help students study in their dream college by cutting down a portion of their expenses. Here are some scholarships offered by the top universities in USA that are available for international students:

Western Carolina University Notable Alumni

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Western Carolina Vs East Carolina Vs App State

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WCU 
FAQs

Q:   Is it hard to get into Western Carolina University?

A: 

Western Carolina University is a moderately competitive university to get into, as its acceptance rate stands at 85%. This figure tells us that almost 85 out of every 100 applicants manage to get enrolled in the university, which is more than half of all the applicants. Therefore, once an applicant fulfills Western Carolina University admission requirements i.e.; competitive grades, standardized test scores, English language requirements as well as relevant documents, they are most likely to secure an admission in the university. However, students must not take this lightly and apply to the university within the deadlines in order to get enrolled as a student.

Q:   What are some useful tips for students starting their first semester in Western Carolina University?

A: 

Western Carolina University is one of the best universities in USA and students across the world desire to study here. Listed below are some helpful tips for students starting their first semester in the university:

  • Academic Routine: Build a practical routine for studies and make use of the academic resources offered by the university.
  • Connect with Faculty: Students must build a healthy relationship with professors and is helpful with studies as well as job opportunities.
  • Co-curricular Activities: Participate in events, clubs, trips, community organization, volunteering and more.
  • Gym & Fitness: Fitness freaks can make use of the equipment at the university in order to build a healthy routine for themselves.
  • Planning Finances: Since studying abroad is expensive, students must plan their budget and invest/spend their money mindfully while studying in the university.
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WCU

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered 7 months ago

Submitting ACT or SAT scores is optional for undergraduate admission at WCU. International First-year applicants have an option to submit either the SAT or the ACT score. The UNC Board of Governors voted to extend the current testing waiver for students applying for admissions through Fall 2024. The

...more

43308123
Chandra Shekhar

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 7 months ago

WCU recieves 17,916 applications in 2022-23 which increases to 19,234 in 2023-24. Mentioned below are the Western Carolina University enrollment statistics for UG:

Particulars

Stats 2022-2023

Stats 2023-2024

Application Received

17,916

19,234

Admitted Students

15,203

16,014

Acceptance Rate

84.86%

83.26%

43308123
Chandra Shekhar

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 7 months ago

The Western Carolina University acceptance rate is around 83% for the fall of 2023-24. Out of 100 applications 83 will get admission offer. Therefore, the Western Carolina admissions are not highly competitive. Mentioned below are enrollment statistics for UG admission in 2023-24:

Particulars

Stats 2023-2024

Application Received

19,234

Admitted Students

16,014

Acceptance Rate

83.26%

43308123
Chandra Shekhar

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 7 months ago

Students from all over the world apply here to study quality programs at an affordable tuition fee. WCU University has received 19,234 applications among which 2,118 get admission offers for the fall of 2023-24. The WCU acceptance rate for the fall of 2023-24 is around 83%. Mentioned below are the W

...more

43308123
Chandra Shekhar

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 7 months ago

Applicants can apply for WCU admission online through official website. Mentioned below is the Western Carolina University application process for UG admission:

WCU application process for UG admission:

Step 1: Create an account to submit your undergraduate application for admission

Step 2: Submit offi

...more

43308123
Chandra Shekhar

Contributor-Level 10

About the author

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Anushree Sinha

Study Abroad Expert

Anushree is a Graduate in Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and takes keen interest in content creation. She has affinity for writing and travelling around the world takes the top spot on her bucket list. Bringing out the creativ...Read Full Bio
WCU Others(1)Campus
WCU Others(2)Building
WCU Others(3)Building
WCU Others(1)
WCU Others(2)

WCU
Location

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University CityCullowhee, North Carolina, USA

WCU
Campuses

Departments Icon1   Campuses
Western Carolina University CampusUp Arrow Icon
Address

1 University Way, Cullowhee, North Carolina 28723, United States

Visit official site External Link Icon

WCU
Contact Information

Address

1 University Dr, Cullowhee, NC 28723, United States
Cullowhee ( North Carolina)

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