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Western Carolina University, or WCU, is a coeducational public university located in Cullowhee, North Carolina, United States. It was founded in 1889 with the intention of educating the people of the western North Carolina Mountains. WCU is a constituent campus of the University of North Carolina system. The university offers a wide variety of degrees and programs through the following academic divisions:
Western Carolina University ‘s sports teams are nicknamed the Catamounts. WCU is a member of the Southern Conference, and its athletic teams participate in the NCAA Division I athletics.
Cullowhee, NC is home to Western Carolina University. Cullowhee is a rural area. The school is a public institution. Degrees at Western Carolina University go up to the Doctoral degree.
Students at the school can choose among many degree programs. Students commonly pursue studies in education and teaching.
Prospective students are advised that admissions are not open to all; the school selects from among qualified applicants. Three quarters of students in 2007 had SAT verbal scores of at least 450. Half of math SAT scores of accepted students fell between 460 and 560.
The school has a tenure system for senior faculty. The full-time faculty at Western Carolina University is well-paid, which often goes with faculty quality.
The school has 9,056 enrolled students (as of 2007).
Full-time students are the norm at Western Carolina University. The school offers dorm rooms to a higher percentage of its students than do most colleges. Western Carolina University offers students meal plans. The school values student athletics, and belongs to the Southern Conference.
Western Carolina University is a relative bargain, with lower tuition and fees than most schools offering similar degrees.
More complete details are provided below.
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC 28723-9646
General Phone: (828) 227-7211
http://www.wcu.edu
| General Category | Degrees | Most Common Majors [see all] |
|---|---|---|
| Education And Teaching | 414 | middle school teaching, elementary school teaching, educational supervision, teacher education, education, college student counseling, educational administration, secondary school administration, ... |
| Business And Management | 355 | business management, marketing studies, accounting, business administration, marketing, MIS, finance, human resources, ... |
| Liberal Arts | 147 | English, sociology, history, political science, Spanish language, anthropology, social services, liberal arts and sciences, ... |
| Security And Law Enforcement | 102 | criminal justice and safety, forensic science |
| Engineering Technician | 102 | engineering technology, construction engineering tech, electronics tech, industrial tech, manufacturing tech |
| Therapy And Counseling | 100 | physical therapy, psychology, communication disorders, school psychology, clinical psychology |
| Nursing And Emergency Medicine | 89 | registered nursing, EMT paramedic |
| Nutrition And Exercise Therapy | 89 | sports and fitness management, parks and recreation management, recreational therapy, dietitian, athletic trainer |
| Media | 70 | communication studies, media and digital communications |
| Family And Social Work | 67 | public administration, social work, family studies |
| Science | 49 | biology, chemistry, geology, science and society |
| Medical Administration | 33 | environmental health, medical records admin, health care administration |
| Fine Arts | 32 | fine arts |
| Design | 25 | interior design |
| Music | 18 | music performance, music |
| Hospitality | 17 | hospitality management |
| Mathematics | 14 | applied mathematics, mathematics |
| Conservation And Resource Management | 12 | natural resources management, environmental science |
| Drama And Performing Arts | 10 | drama |
| Medical Support And Technology | 9 | clinical lab tech |
| Religion And Philosophy | 6 | philosophy |
| Computer Science And Engineering | 4 | computer science |
| Art Studies | 0 | art studies |
| Engineering | 0 | electrical engineering |
Number of programs and degrees for Western Carolina University in 2007:
| Degree Level | Total Awarded | Number of Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | 1,255 | 73 |
| Master's degree | 489 | 39 |
| Doctor's degree | 13 | 1 |
| Post-master's certificate | 7 | 1 |
| Postbaccalaureate certificate | 0 | 1 |
In 2007, Western Carolina University had a total enrollment of 9,056 students (7,549 full-time equivalent).
Students in the Freshman Class:
| Group | Percent |
|---|---|
| Men | 50% |
| Women | 50% |
| Full-Time | 100% |
| Part-Time | 0% |
Students By Class:
| Group | Percent |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 78% |
| Graduate | 22% |
| Race | Percent |
|---|---|
| White | 84% |
| Black | 5% |
| Hispanic | 1% |
| Asian | 1% |
| American Indian | 1% |
| Unknown | 4% |
| (Foreign Students) | 3% |
Students by Age:
| Age | Percent |
|---|---|
| Under 18 | 0% |
| 18-19 | 24% |
| 20-21 | 26% |
| 22-24 | 17% |
| 25-29 | 10% |
| 30-34 | 7% |
| 35-39 | 5% |
| 40-49 | 7% |
| 50-64 | 3% |
| 65+ | 0% |
Incoming (Freshman) Students by Place of Residence:
(From available data sampling)
| Residence | Percent |
|---|---|
| North Carolina | 92% |
| Georgia | 2% |
| South Carolina | 2% |
| Florida | 1% |
| Virginia | 1% |
Retention Rates (2007):
| Group | Returning From Previous Year |
|---|---|
| Full-Time | 66 % |
Western Carolina University offers campus housing for 3,640 of its 7,549 (full-time) students. Freshmen are required to live on campus.
(Please refer to our profile of Cullowhee, North Carolina for details about the area surrounding the campus. Also see our list of other North Carolina Colleges).
The school offers students a meal plan with 21 meals per week.
Acceptances:
| Group | Applicants | Accepted | Percent Accepted | Enrolled | Percent of Accepted Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 4,830 | 3,705 | 77% | 1,568 | 42% |
| Men | 2,343 | 1,756 | 75% | 780 | 44% |
| Women | 2,487 | 1,949 | 78% | 788 | 40% |
Standardized Test Scores:
| Test | 25th Percentile | 75th Percetile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT Verbal | 450 | 550 |
| SAT Math | 460 | 560 |
| SAT Writing | 430 | 530 |
| ACT Verbal | 16 | 21 |
| ACT Math | 17 | 22 |
| ACT Composite | 18 | 22 |
Application Requirements:
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| GPA | required |
| Class Rank | required |
| High School Record | required |
| College Prep Program | required |
| Recommendations | not required |
| Formal Demonstration of Competence | recommended |
| Standardized Tests (SAT and/or ACT) | required |
| Percent of Applicants Submitting SAT | 94% |
| Percent of Applicants Submitting ACT | 18% |
| TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) | required |
| Other Standardized Tests | not required |
Expenses and Financial Aid:
| Expense | Amount |
|---|---|
| In-state tuition and fees | $ 4,061 |
| Out-of-state tuition and fees | $ 13,644 |
| Room and board | $ 5,462 |
| Room charge | $ 2,832 |
| Board (meal plan) charge | $ 2,630 |
| Books and supplies | $ 1,981 |
| Other expenses | $ 2,066 |
Financial Aid:
Western Carolina University participates in Federal Title IV financial aid programs. (The school's OPE ID is 298100)
Western Carolina University has a tenure system for faculty.
Tenure Status of Faculty (2007):
| Full-Time Faculty Level | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Tenured | 116 | 65 |
| Non-tenured, but on tenure track | 81 | 78 |
| Non-tenured and not on tenure track | 58 | 58 |
Salaries for full-time faculty:
Full-Time Faculty (2007):
| Full-Time Faculty Level | Contract Length | Number Men | Avg Salary Men | Number Women | Avg Salary Women |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professor | calendar year | 7 | $100,883 | 1 | * |
| Associate professor | calendar year | 10 | $106,408 | 4 | $89,485 |
| Assistant professor | calendar year | 4 | $62,883 | 1 | * |
| Instructor | calendar year | 6 | $59,548 | 2 | * |
| No academic rank | calendar year | 8 | $78,775 | 3 | $102,871 |
| All faculty total | calendar year | 35 | $85,979 | 11 | $86,498 |
*: salaries are not displayed where there are fewer than 3 professors in the category.
Full-Time Faculty (2007):
| Full-Time Faculty Level | Contract Length | Number Men | Avg Salary Men | Number Women | Avg Salary Women |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professor | academic year | 46 | $89,531 | 23 | $79,054 |
| Associate professor | academic year | 58 | $71,169 | 39 | $68,350 |
| Assistant professor | academic year | 72 | $62,921 | 75 | $57,202 |
| Instructor | academic year | 6 | $47,907 | 12 | $45,645 |
| Lecturer | academic year | 0 | * | 1 | * |
| No academic rank | academic year | 38 | $57,880 | 40 | $51,172 |
| All faculty total | academic year | 220 | $69,379 | 190 | $60,103 |
*: salaries are not displayed where there are fewer than 3 professors in the category.
Athletic Conferences:
| Sport | Conference |
|---|---|
| Football | Southern Conference |
| Basketball | Southern Conference |
| Baseball | Southern Conference |
| Track | Southern Conference |
Students on Athletic Scholarships (2007):
| Sport | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 166 | 103 | 269 |
| Football | 83 | 0 | 83 |
| Track | 34 | 31 | 65 |
| Baseball | 30 | 0 | 30 |
| Basketball | 11 | 15 | 26 |
| All Other Sports | 8 | 57 | 65 |
ART STUDIES
Art/Art Studies, General
BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT
Accounting
Business Administration and Management, General
Business Administration, Management and Operations, Other
Finance, General
Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General
International Business/Trade/Commerce
Management Information Systems, General
Marketing, Other
Marketing/Marketing Management, General
COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
Computer Science
CONSERVATION AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Environmental Science
Natural Resources Management and Policy
DRAMA AND PERFORMING ARTS
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General
EDUCATION AND TEACHING
Art Teacher Education
Biology Teacher Education
College Student Counseling and Personnel Services
Community College Education
Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services
Education, General
Education, Other
Educational Leadership and Administration, General
Educational, Instructional, and Curriculum Supervision
Elementary Education and Teaching
English/Language Arts Teacher Education
French Language Teacher Education
German Language Teacher Education
Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching
Kindergarten/Preschool Education and Teaching
Mathematics Teacher Education
Music Teacher Education
Physical Education Teaching and Coaching
Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education
Secondary School Administration/Principalship
Social Studies Teacher Education
Spanish Language Teacher Education
Special Education and Teaching, General
Teacher Education/Profess Development, Levels & Methods, Other
Teaching English as Second/Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor
ENGINEERING
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician
Electrical/Electronic/Communications Engr Technology/Technician
Engineering Technology, General
Industrial Technology/Technician
Manufacturing Technology/Technician
FAMILY AND SOCIAL WORK
Human Development and Family Studies, General
Public Administration
Social Work
FINE ARTS
Fine/Studio Arts, General
HOSPITALITY
Hospitality Administration/Management, General
LIBERAL ARTS
Anthropology
English Language and Literature, General
French Language and Literature
Geography
German Language and Literature
History, General
Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies
Political Science and Government, General
Social Sciences, General
Sociology
Spanish Language and Literature
MATHEMATICS
Applied Mathematics
Mathematics, General
MEDIA
Communication Studies/Speech Communication and Rhetoric
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication, Other
MEDICAL ADMINISTRATION
Environmental Health
Health Information/Medical Records Administration/Administrator
Health/Health Care Administration/Management
MEDICAL SUPPORT AND TECHNOLOGY
Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist
MUSIC
Music Performance, General
Music, General
NURSING AND EMERGENCY MEDICINE
Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic)
Nursing/Registered Nurse (RN, ASN, BSN, MSN)
NUTRITION AND EXERCISE THERAPY
Athletic Training/Trainer
Dietetics/Dietitian (RD)
Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management
Sport and Fitness Administration/Management
Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy
RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY
Philosophy
SCIENCE
Biology/Biological Sciences, General
Chemistry, General
Geology/Earth Science, General
Science, Technology and Society
SECURITY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
Criminal Justice/Safety Studies
Forensic Science and Technology
THERAPY AND COUNSELING
Clinical Psychology
Communication Disorders, General
Physical Therapy/Therapist
Psychology, General
School Psychology
(Details are provided further down on this page.)
What Sets Western Carolina University Apart:
| Category | Trophy | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of degree programs (vs. all colleges) | Top 4% |  |
| Lowest tuition & fees (in-state) (vs. colleges with similar degree levels) | Top 8% | |
| Number of students (vs. all colleges) | Top 9% | |
| Dorm rooms per full-time student (vs. all colleges) | Top 12% | |
| % of full-time faculty on tenure track (vs. all colleges) | Top 13% | |
| Faculty/student ratio (full-time) (vs. colleges of similar size) | Top 13% | |
| % of degrees in nutrition and exercise therapy (vs. colleges of similar size) | Top 17% | |
| % of degrees in education and teaching (vs. all colleges) | Top 19% | |
| Salaries of full-time faculty (vs. all colleges) | Top 19% | |
Notable:
Accepts some high school credits Offers credit for life experience Grants credits for AP courses Offers distance learning Career counseling Career services Student employment services On-campus day care Option to study abroad Offers part-time study On-campus library Offers campus housing Offers a board (meal) plan Tenure system for quality teaching Offers athletic scholarships NCAA athletic conference member
Try our unique CollegeMatch™ tool to find schools similar to Western Carolina University.
Click occupation names for extensive details, including salary and other job data.
(Based on an automated mapping of degrees popular at Western Carolina University with government-defined occupation categories)
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Education And Teaching
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