First-year deadlines, 2026–27
| Plan | Entry term | Deadline | Decision by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early action Apply early, hear early, not binding. | November 1, 2026 | December 15, 2026 | |
| Priority deadline Apply by this date for the best chance at aid or a place; later applications may still be read. | January 1, 2027 | February 1, 2027 | |
| Rolling admission The college reviews applications as they arrive until the class is full. | Spring | January 2, 2027 | |
| Regular decision The standard deadline, with answers in spring. Not binding. | February 1, 2027 | ||
| Rolling admission | Fall | February 1, 2027 | |
| Rolling admission | Summer | May 1, 2027 |
Plans are listed in calendar order. What the plans mean
Source: wcu.edu · checked September 26, 2026
What families actually pay
Average yearly net price after grants, in-state students, by family income
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, College Scorecard · data snapshot October 2, 2026
AP credit
Most-taken exams, lowest score that earns credit| Exam | Min score | Western Carolina University course | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calculus AB | 3 | 4 MATH 153 Calculus I C2: Mathematics | |
| Calculus BC | 3 | 8 MATH 153 Calculus I MATH 255 Calculus II C2: Mathematics | |
| Biology | 3 | 3 BIOL 104 Human Biology C5: Physical & Biological Science | |
| Chemistry | 3 | 4 CHEM 139 General Chemistry I C5: Physical &…4 CHEM 139 General Chemistry I C5: Physical & Biological Science | |
| English Language and Composition | 3 | 6 ENGL 101 Writing & Rhetoric ENGL 19A Lower…6 ENGL 101 Writing & Rhetoric ENGL 19A Lower Level Elective C1: Writing | |
| English Literature and Composition | 3 | 6 ENGL 19LS Liberal Studies: Humanities P4: Humanities | |
| United States History | 3 | 6 HIST 131 North American History to 1865 HIST…6 HIST 131 North American History to 1865 HIST 132 U.S. History Since 1865 P1: Social Science, Foundations of American Democracy P3: History | |
| Psychology | 3 | 3 PSY 150 General Psychology P1: Social Science |
Show all 46 exams and every score level
| Exam | Min score | Course | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calculus AB | 3 | 4 MATH 153 Calculus I C2: Mathematics | |
| Calculus BC | 3 | 8 MATH 153 Calculus I MATH 255 Calculus II C2: Mathematics | |
| Biology | 3 | 3 BIOL 104 Human Biology C5: Physical & Biological Science | |
| Chemistry | 3 | 4 CHEM 139 General Chemistry I C5: Physical &…4 CHEM 139 General Chemistry I C5: Physical & Biological Science | |
| English Language and Composition | 3 | 6 ENGL 101 Writing & Rhetoric ENGL 19A Lower…6 ENGL 101 Writing & Rhetoric ENGL 19A Lower Level Elective C1: Writing | |
| English Literature and Composition | 3 | 6 ENGL 19LS Liberal Studies: Humanities P4: Humanities | |
| United States History | 3 | 6 HIST 131 North American History to 1865 HIST…6 HIST 131 North American History to 1865 HIST 132 U.S. History Since 1865 P1: Social Science, Foundations of American Democracy P3: History | |
| Psychology | 3 | 3 PSY 150 General Psychology P1: Social Science | |
| Statistics | 3 | 3 MATH 170 Applied Statistics C2: Mathematics | |
| Computer Science A | 3 | 4 CS 150 Problem Solving & Programming I | |
| Macroeconomics | 3 | 3 ECON 232 Introductory Macroeconomics & Social…3 ECON 232 Introductory Macroeconomics & Social Issues P1: Social Science | |
| Microeconomics | 3 | 3 ECON 231 Introductory Microeconomics & Social…3 ECON 231 Introductory Microeconomics & Social Issues P1: Social Science | |
| World History: Modern | 3 | 6 HIST 107 World Cultures in Historical…6 HIST 107 World Cultures in Historical Perspective HIST 19LS Liberal Studies: History P3: History | |
| Environmental Science | 3 | 3 ENVH 130 Environmental Health Science: Systems…3 ENVH 130 Environmental Health Science: Systems & Solutions C5: Physical & Biological Science | |
| European History | 3 | 6 HIST 221 The Birth of Europe: 312-1517 HIST 222…6 HIST 221 The Birth of Europe: 312-1517 HIST 222 European History Since 1517 P3: History | |
| Human Geography | 3 | 3 GEOG 103 Cultural Geography P6: World Cultures | |
| Spanish Language and Culture | 3 | 6 SPAN 102 Beginning Spanish II SPAN 231…6 SPAN 102 Beginning Spanish II SPAN 231 Intermediate Spanish I P6: World Cultures | |
| United States Government and Politics | 3 | 3 PSC 101 American Government & Politics P1…3 PSC 101 American Government & Politics P1: Social Science, Foundations of American Democracy | |
| Computer Science Principles | 3 | 3 CS 130 Introduction to Computing | |
| Art History | 3 | 6 ART 136 Art History Survey I ART 137 Art…6 ART 136 Art History Survey I ART 137 Art History Survey II P5: Fine & Performing Arts | |
| Music Theory | 3 | 4 MUS 19A Lower Level Elective | |
| 4 or 5 | 3 | FREN 331 Survey of French Literature I | |
| 4 or 5 | 3 | SPAN 330 Masterpieces of Spanish Peninsular Literature | |
| 4 or 5 | 4 | CS 150 Problem Solving & Programming I | |
| 5 | 4 | BIOL 151 General Biology II C5: Physical &…BIOL 151 General Biology II C5: Physical & Biological Science | |
| African American Studies | 3 | 6 GBS 19LS Liberal Studies: History P3: History | |
| Art: 2D Art and Design (from December 2020) | 3 | 3 ART 132 Two-Dimensional Design | |
| Art: 3D Art and Design (from December 2020) | 3 | 3 ART 142 Three-Dimensional Design | |
| Art: Studio (up until June 2012) | 3 | 3 ART 19A Lower Level Elective (portfolio review required) | |
| Calculus AB Subscore | 3 | 4 MATH 153 Calculus I C2: Mathematics | |
| Chinese Language and Culture | 3 | 6 CHIN 102 Modern Chinese: Language & Culture II…6 CHIN 102 Modern Chinese: Language & Culture II CHIN 231 Intermediate Modern Chinese I P6: World Cultures | |
| Comparative Government and Politics | 3 | 3 PSC 169 World Order & Disorder: Exploring…3 PSC 169 World Order & Disorder: Exploring Global Politics P6: World Cultures | |
| Computer Science AB (up until June 2009) | 3 | 4 CS 150 Problem Solving & Programming I | |
| Drawing (from December 2020) | 3 | 3 ART 131 Introductory Drawing | |
| French Language and Culture | 3 | 6 FREN 102 Beginning French II FREN 231…6 FREN 102 Beginning French II FREN 231 Intermediate French I P6: World Cultures | |
| French Literature (up until June 2009) | 3 | 3 FREN 310 Introduction to French Prose & Poetry | |
| German Language and Culture | 3 | 6 GER 102 Beginning German II GER 231…6 GER 102 Beginning German II GER 231 Intermediate German I P6: World Cultures | |
| Italian Language and Culture | 3 | 6 WLL 101 Beginning World Language I WLL 102…6 WLL 101 Beginning World Language I WLL 102 Beginning World Language II P6: World Cultures | |
| Japanese Language and Culture | 3 | 6 JPN 102 Beginning Japanese II JPN 231…6 JPN 102 Beginning Japanese II JPN 231 Intermediate Japanese I P6: World Cultures | |
| Latin | 3 | 6 WLL 101 Beginning World Language I WLL 102…6 WLL 101 Beginning World Language I WLL 102 Beginning World Language II P6: World Cultures | |
| Latin | 3 | 8 WLL 19LS Liberal Studies: World Cultures P6…8 WLL 19LS Liberal Studies: World Cultures P6: World Cultures | |
| Physics 1 (from January 2017) | 3 | 4 PHYS 130 Introductory Physics I C5: Physical &…4 PHYS 130 Introductory Physics I C5: Physical & Biological Science | |
| Physics 2: Algebra-Based (from January 2017) | 3 | 4 PHYS 131 Introductory Physics II C5: Physical &…4 PHYS 131 Introductory Physics II C5: Physical & Biological Science | |
| Physics B (up until March 2016) | 3 | 8 PHYS 130 Introductory Physics I PHYS 131…8 PHYS 130 Introductory Physics I PHYS 131 Introductory Physics II C5: Physical & Biological Science | |
| Physics C: Mechanics | 3 | 4 PHYS 230 General Physics I C5: Physical &…4 PHYS 230 General Physics I C5: Physical & Biological Science | |
| Physics C: Mechanics | 3 | 4 PHYS 231 General Physics II C5: Physical &…4 PHYS 231 General Physics II C5: Physical & Biological Science | |
| Precalculus | 3 | 4 MATH 146 Precalculus II C2: Mathematics | |
| Research (since January 2019) | 3 | 3 ELEC 19A Lower Level Elective | |
| Seminar (since January 2019) | 3 | 3 ELEC 19A Lower Level Elective | |
| Spanish Literature and Culture | 3 | 3 SPAN 310 Introduction to Hispanic Literature |
Source: wcu.edu · checked September 19, 2026
Biggest majors
| Major | Graduates |
|---|---|
| Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse | 266 |
| Business Administration and Management | 255 |
| Psychology | 150 |
| Criminal Justice/Safety Studies | 139 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences | 121 |
| Public Administration | 105 |
| Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic) | 91 |
| Kindergarten/Preschool Education and Teaching | 82 |
Show the other 55 majors
| Marketing/Marketing Management | 70 |
| Biology/Biological Sciences | 68 |
| Finance | 63 |
| Construction Engineering Technology/Technician | 53 |
| Social Work | 51 |
| Marketing, Other | 50 |
| Speech Communication and Rhetoric | 48 |
| Engineering Technologies/Technicians | 42 |
| English Language and Literature | 41 |
| Elementary Education and Teaching | 40 |
| Forensic Chemistry | 40 |
| Engineering | 37 |
| Sport and Fitness Administration/Management | 35 |
| Music Performance | 35 |
| Management Information Systems | 34 |
| Fine/Studio Arts | 33 |
| Anthropology | 32 |
| Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts | 31 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management | 31 |
| History | 30 |
| Accounting | 30 |
| Communication Sciences and Disorders | 27 |
| Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy | 26 |
| Political Science and Government | 23 |
| Computer Science | 22 |
| Interior Design | 22 |
| Chemistry | 20 |
| Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy | 19 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication, Other | 17 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | 16 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering | 16 |
| Music Teacher Education | 16 |
| Environmental Science | 15 |
| Physical Education Teaching and Coaching | 15 |
| Sociology | 15 |
| Mathematics | 14 |
| Dietetics/Dietitian | 14 |
| Special Education and Teaching | 13 |
| Geology/Earth Science | 11 |
| Environmental Health | 11 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Communications Engineering Technology/Technician | 10 |
| Spanish Language and Literature | 10 |
| Art/Art Studies | 10 |
| Music | 10 |
| Philosophy | 9 |
| Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies | 9 |
| International/Globalization Studies | 8 |
| English/Language Arts Teacher Education | 7 |
| Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching | 5 |
| Art Teacher Education | 5 |
| Social Studies Teacher Education | 5 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies | 5 |
| Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education | 4 |
| Applied Economics | 4 |
| Mathematics Teacher Education | 3 |
Bachelor’s graduates, first major, most recent year · Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, IPEDS · data snapshot October 2, 2026
Sports and campus life
Men’s varsity · NCAA Division I, Southern Conference
Baseball, Basketball, Football, Golf, Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
Women’s varsity · NCAA Division I, Southern Conference
Basketball, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track and Field and Cross Country (combined), Volleyball
Faith groups
Hillel, InterVarsity, Newman Connection, Ratio Christi, Sigma Alpha Omega
Also
Honors college, Study abroad
Greek life
15% of men in fraternities · 11% of women in sororities · 13% of undergraduates overall (Common Data Set 2023–24)
Sources: U.S. Dept. of Education athletics data (EADA), Common Data Set (Greek life), connection.newmanministry.com · checked September 4, 2026 · data snapshot October 2, 2026
The place
Setting
Town, distant
Federal locale classification
More about the place
Nearest airport
Asheville Regional (AVL)
Nearest hub airport
Charlotte/Douglas International (CLT)
Walkability
EPA walkability index 8.2 of 20
Elevation
2,098 ft
Time zone
Eastern
January low
26°F
July high
85°F
Annual snowfall
4.3 in
Days at 90°F or higher
13 per year
One-bedroom fair market rent
$1,010 per month
Sources: U.S. Dept. of Education (IPEDS locale), U.S. Census metro estimates, NOAA climate normals, HUD fair market rents, EPA walkability · data snapshot October 2, 2026
Colleges nearby
- Brevard College26 mi
- University of North Carolina Asheville41 mi
- Young Harris College45 mi
- Warren Wilson College47 mi
- Southern Wesleyan University47 mi
- Clemson University48 mi
Straight-line distance between campuses
Similar colleges
Public, town campus, NCAA Division I, similar size
- Central Michigan University10,055 students
- South Dakota State University10,177 students
- Louisiana Tech University10,401 students
- Stephen F Austin State University9,575 students
- Troy University10,468 students
- University of Idaho9,269 students