Western Carolina University— Earnings & Cost Trends
Graduate Earnings
$49,458
in 2021+25% since 2008
Median Graduate Earnings Over Time
Net Price (Annual Cost) Over Time
Graduation Rate Over Time
Key Insights
- •Earnings grew 25% since 2008 — graduates are earning more over time
- •Net price increased 67% since 2010 — costs are rising faster than inflation
- •Graduation rate improved by 13 percentage points since 1998
Year-by-Year Data
| Year | Earnings | Net Price | Grad Rate | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | — | — | 48% | $5,250 |
| 1999 | — | — | 49% | $5,500 |
| 2000 | — | — | 47% | $5,500 |
| 2001 | — | — | 45% | $5,500 |
| 2002 | — | — | 47% | $5,500 |
| 2003 | — | — | 46% | $5,500 |
| 2004 | — | — | 49% | $5,500 |
| 2005 | — | — | 46% | $5,500 |
| 2006 | — | — | 47% | $5,500 |
| 2007 | — | — | 47% | $5,582 |
| 2008 | $39,700 | — | 48% | $6,338 |
| 2009 | — | — | 50% | $8,798 |
| 2010 | $37,700 | $7,978 | 49% | $10,380 |
| 2011 | — | $8,912 | 51% | $9,752 |
| 2012 | $35,100 | $9,888 | 50% | $9,938 |
| 2013 | $35,800 | $11,481 | 48% | $11,000 |
| 2014 | $36,200 | $12,380 | 51% | $12,729 |
| 2015 | $37,700 | $13,395 | 58% | $14,248 |
| 2016 | — | $13,516 | 57% | $14,944 |
| 2017 | — | $14,433 | 57% | $15,500 |
| 2018 | — | $15,157 | 59% | $15,878 |
| 2019 | — | $15,607 | 62% | $15,750 |
| 2020 | — | $13,722 | 62% | $15,656 |
| 2021 | $49,458 | $13,924 | 64% | $15,348 |
| 2022 | — | $13,640 | 61% | — |
| 2023 | — | $13,801 | 61% | — |
| 2024 | — | $12,579 | 59% | — |
| 2025 | — | $13,315 | 60% | — |