Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC
Affordability & debt
- Average net price
- $13,315per year, after aid
- Undergraduates with a federal loan
- 44%
- Undergraduates receiving a Pell grant
- 35%need-based, not repaid
- Typical debt at graduation
- $21,868federal loans, students who finished
- Reducing their balance within 3 years
- 59%of borrowers who entered repayment
What that debt costs to repay. Typical debt here is about $21,868. At 7% over 10 years — the standard federal plan — that is roughly $254 a month, about $30,469 repaid in total, of which $8,601 is interest.
Stretch the same balance over 25 years and the payment drops to $155 a month — but the total climbs to $46,368, roughly $15,899 more in interest. A smaller payment is not a smaller loan.
An estimate, not financial advice: straight amortization at a fixed rate, ignoring fees, interest accrued while enrolled, and any forgiveness or income-driven plan. Figures on this page are averages and medians — what any one family borrows and pays varies widely. Try your own numbers.
Western Carolina University’s net price calculator — every college is required to publish one. It is the only way to get a cost estimate based on your family’s own finances rather than an average.
Published tuition
- In-state tuition
- $4,630published rate
- Out-of-state tuition
- $8,630published rate
The sticker price before any aid. Most students pay less than this — the net price above is what aided students actually paid on average.
Admissions
- Acceptance rate
- 82%
- Average SAT
- 1,157of admitted students
- Average ACT
- 22of admitted students
Context for the class as a whole, not a prediction about any one applicant.
Outcomes
- Median earnings
- $49,45810 years after entry
Median earnings of former students who received federal aid, measured 10 years after they started.
Campus life
- Campus setting
- Town: Distant
- Residential character
- Primarily residential — many students live on campus
Most common fields of study
- Health professions22%
- Business & marketing20%
- Education7%
- Psychology6%
- Public administration & social services6%
- Homeland security & law enforcement5%
Share of degrees awarded, by broad field.
Athletics
NCAA Division I-FCS
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Football
- Golf
- Soccer
- Softball
- Tennis
- Track and Field
- Volleyball
What borrowing would really cost
Starting from the typical debt at Western Carolina University. Change any figure to see your own.
Standard plan — 10 years
$254per month
- Total repaid
- $30,469
- Interest paid
- $8,601
Longer term — 25 years
$155per month
- Total repaid
- $46,368
- Interest paid
- $24,500
Borrow $21,868 and repay it over 25 years instead of 10, and you pay $15,899 more — $46,368 in all, about 2.1× what you borrowed. The monthly payment is smaller; the loan is not.
An estimate, not financial advice. Straight amortization at a fixed rate: it assumes every payment is made on time and the rate never changes, and it leaves out fees, interest that accrues while you’re still enrolled, and any forgiveness or income-driven plan. Planning4College is not a financial advisor and sells no loans. Check real terms with your school’s financial aid office and studentaid.gov.
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