Western Carolina University

Overview of Western Carolina University

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The school’s teaching programs remain one of the core places to get degrees and professional development for existing teachers in the community, region, and country. In fact, the school has been a recipient of a $200,000 grant to support such initiatives. A number of dedicated buildings and efforts have been made to support the diversity of the university through African American and Cherokee Indian financial and academic endeavors.

Two campus locations are available, as well as online learning opportunities. Students can choose between the primary campus in Cullowhee, North Carolina, centered in the Great Smoky and Blue Ridge mountains, as well as an Asheville location. Over 115 majors and concentrations exist alongside 40 advanced degree programs in high-demand educational areas including business, the arts, education, science, engineering, and humanities. It’s also possible for students to participate in 16 collegiate athletic teams and a variety of clubs and organizations.

Top Rankings For Western Carolina University

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Admissions

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Tuition Cost & Financial Aid

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Since 2018, WCU has participated in the NC Promise Program. This program and its three state university participants lowered the cost of in-state tuition to $500 each semester for each undergraduate student. Out-of-state residents can also benefit from the program by only having to pay $2,500 each semester. While the price tags have been slashed, at least 83% of students still take advantage of financial aid to some extent. As a result, the net price average is $12,965.

Students can expect to pay another $13,000 or so for standard living expenses and additional coursework fees, including room and board, books, and supplies. Western Carolina University also offers a wide array of scholarships and tuition assistance. The school has a number of programs dedicated to veterans as a way to lower overall higher education expenses and work-study programs are widely available to all students to provide career experience and income for daily expenses.

Sticker Price

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Academics

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WCU is committed to applied learning and hands-on experience in all of its colleges and programs to provide greater opportunities upon graduation. Additional advantages exist in small class sizes of less than 30 students in nearly 65% of courses and an honors college is available for students who perform exceptionally well in their traditional coursework. All students will have access to research centers and academic support to aid in the overall academic experience.

Students can select from undergraduate, graduate, and multiple online programs in areas of study including business, education and allied professions, fine and performing arts, health and human sciences, engineering and technology, and more. Many programs are nationally recognized such as those of emergency management, nursing, project management, natural resources conservation, entrepreneurship, education, forensic science, and engineering. It’s commonplace for programs in each college to provide interdisciplinary opportunities to maximize student desirability to employers upon degree completion.

The school has a solid retention rate of 78% and the four-year and six-year graduation rates are at 43% and 62%, respectively. Graduation rates are around the national average. This could be due to the fact, in part, that the school supports students and academic programs sufficiently.

Student Population Total

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Outcome & Salary

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As a way to improve job placement for recent graduates, WCU offers a Center for Career and Professional Development. This center has specialized services for students, alumni, employers, and more. The students and alumni can take advantage of several career resources, activities, events, and tools including grad school prep, signature programs, internships, networking, job opportunities, and more. Students can also use the center to find on and off-campus jobs during degree programs.

Employers also have a number of opportunities to connect with WCU students and alumni. They can participate in career fairs and post jobs for both part-time student jobs and full-time positions. These employers help provide feedback to students regarding the most important skills and attributes in today’s workforce.

Photos & Videos

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