Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NCPublicRank 882 of 1,732Traditional rank 580 of 1,156
Freshman grant vs later years
Average grant per recipient, IPEDS SFA 2022-23.
Averages across all recipients, not a prediction for one student. Continuing students include transfers and part-time students. Data is about two years old. How this is calculated.
Average net price by family income (2022-23)
| Family income | Avg net price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $8,571 |
| $30–48k | $10,277 |
| $48–75k | $13,085 |
| $75–110k | $15,140 |
| $110k+ | $17,958 |
First-time, full-time students receiving Title IV aid, in-state. Source: IPEDS SFA 2022-23.
Published cost (IPEDS)
| Tuition and fees (in-state), 2022-23 | $4,453 |
| Tuition and fees (in-state), 2023-24 | $4,532 |
| Change | $79 (+1.8%) |
| Tuition and fees (out-of-state), 2023-24 | $8,532 |
| On-campus room and board, 2023-24 | $11,764 |
Source: IPEDS Institutional Characteristics, academic years 2022-23 and 2023-24.
Latest published cost (state report)
| 2026-27 resident tuition and fees | $4,266 |
| 2026-27 nonresident tuition and fees | $10,266 |
Source: UNC System 2026-27 undergraduate tuition and fees (approved Feb. 26, 2026), northcarolina.edu. New resident students; current students' tuition is fixed..
Tuition and fees trend (in-state)
Published tuition and required fees, +15.4% from first to last year shown. Source: IPEDS Institutional Characteristics 2021-22 and 2023-24 files.
Average net price trend
Average net price for first-time, full-time students receiving grant aid, in-state. Source: IPEDS SFA 2022-23.
Outcomes and aid profile
| Bachelor's graduation rate within 6 years | 59% |
| Full-time freshman retention (return for year 2) | 76% |
| Freshmen receiving Pell Grants | 38% |
| Freshmen taking federal loans | 51% |
| Average federal loan (freshmen who borrow) | $4,858 |
| Aid drop one year earlier (2021-22) | $58 |
Sources: IPEDS Graduation Rates 2023 (DRVGR), Fall Enrollment 2023 (retention), SFA 2022-23 and 2021-22. "Freshmen" = first-time, full-time undergraduates.
Compare with other colleges Compare with the two most similar
More: all NC colleges · how aid changes after year one · lowest net price for low-income families · 2026-27 state cost reports
Similar colleges
| College | Freshman grant | Drop |
|---|---|---|
| University of North Carolina Wilmington | $6,516 | −$709 |
| University of North Carolina Asheville | $6,856 | −$828 |
| University of North Carolina at Pembroke | $7,008 | $842 |
| Appalachian State University | $7,677 | −$1,377 |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte | $8,150 | −$116 |
Same state and control, closest average freshman grant. All colleges in this state.
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