Western Carolina University
Western Carolina University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Western Carolina University at a Glance
Western Carolina University (WCU) is a public university in Cullowhee, North Carolina, United States. It is part of the University of North Carolina system.
1889
137 years old
$130M
$130 million (2022)
11,000
9,000 undergrad · 1,732 grad
548
600 acres
115
Identity
Is Western Carolina University Worth It?
Western Carolina University offers moderate value at $13,315/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $49,458, which is 8% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 60% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How Western Carolina University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #38 of 153 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #2 | Modesto Junior College | 100 | $2,818 | $42,368 |
| #3 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #4 | Indian River State College | 100 | $3,815 | $38,315 |
| #5 | Oakland University | 92 | $9,120 | $58,612 |
| #6 | Shasta College | 89 | $2,878 | $39,269 |
| #38 | Western Carolina University | 55 | $13,315 | $49,458 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Western Carolina University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in NC.
Best Programs at Western Carolina University
The highest-earning program at Western Carolina University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $56,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $19,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Western Carolina University earns $56,100, while a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduate earns $19,700. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $15,501 in median debt vs. $25,675 for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $13,315/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $56,100 | $56,100 | $15,501 |
| Engineering Technology, General | $53,400 | $53,400 | $22,109 |
| Construction Engineering Technologies | $51,500 | $51,500 | $27,070 |
| Computer Science | $50,600 | $50,600 | $26,095 |
| Public Administration | $48,300 | $48,300 | $13,652 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $45,800 | $45,800 | $23,024 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $39,200 | $39,200 | $21,250 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $39,000 | $39,000 | $15,750 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $38,200 | $38,200 | $25,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $37,300 | $37,300 | $25,624 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $35,700 | $35,700 | $23,707 |
| Mathematics | $34,400 | $34,400 | $21,500 |
| Marketing | $34,200 | $34,200 | $24,209 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $33,000 | $33,000 | $21,556 |
| Music | $32,300 | $32,300 | $27,000 |
| Natural Resources Management and Policy | $30,100 | $30,100 | $14,894 |
| Social Work | $29,600 | $29,600 | $23,250 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $29,400 | $29,400 | $22,673 |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management | $28,800 | $28,800 | $22,704 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | $28,500 | $28,500 | $22,500 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $28,400 | $28,400 | $23,293 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $27,500 | $27,500 | $22,559 |
| Biology, General | $26,500 | $26,500 | $21,168 |
| Anthropology | $26,500 | $26,500 | $24,525 |
| Sociology | $24,700 | $24,700 | $23,250 |
| History | $24,200 | $24,200 | $21,853 |
| Psychology, General | $23,900 | $23,900 | $22,800 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $23,600 | $23,600 | $25,612 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $21,700 | $21,700 | $20,500 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $20,600 | $20,600 | $21,494 |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | $20,300 | $20,300 | $21,814 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $19,700 | $19,700 | $25,675 |
Similar Colleges in NC
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Cullowhee, NC
- Student Body
- 10,024 students
- Admission Rate
- 82%
- Graduation Rate
- 60%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $13,315
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $49,458
- Median Student Debt
- $21,868