Undergraduate Tuition and Financial Aid

At Western Carolina we recognize that students and families are weighing costs as an important factor in their college decision. Western Carolina University has long been committed to providing an affordable and accessible quality education.

NC Promise

Western Carolina University is one of four UNC system institutions that is part of NC Promise plan, a North Carolina program to drive college affordability. What that means for students and parents is that the cost of tuition will drop to $500 per semester for in-state undergraduate students and $2,500 per semester for out-of-state undergraduate students. This program applies to all new and returning students, transfer students, students in online programs and international students not just to incoming Freshman. It does not apply to graduate students.

Student fees along with the cost of residential housing and meal plans will not drop, so it is important for families to understand the full cost of attendance.

Learn More about NC Promise

Tuition and Fee Information

Tuition and fee rates for all UNC system institutions are reviewed and set annually by the North Carolina Legislature. Our most up-to-date tuition and fee information can be found here:

tuition.wcu.edu

We estimate the following costs: 

Estimated Annual Tuition and Fees (2024 - 2025)

 

Financial Aid

More than 80 percent of Western Carolina University students qualify for some type of federal or state financial aid. As soon as the FAFSA is available, WCU encourages you to complete the FAFSA. Completing the FAFSA allows you to be considered for all federal and state grants, loans, and work-study. Some funds and resources are limited or time-sensitive and may be unavailable to prospective students who wait until later to apply.

We will use the information received from the FAFSA to create a financial aid offer for you. This aid offer will include any grants, loans or work study funds you are eligible to receive.

We recognize that the process of applying for financial aid can be daunting for prospective students and their families, and we encourage you to leverage the facts and resources available on our Financial Aid website:

finaid.wcu.edu

Scholarships

WCU offers numerous scholarships that have been established by alumni and other friends of the university, including merit-based scholarships and need-based scholarships. The WCU scholarship application is required for consideration for these scholarships. The application is available to undergraduate students October 1^st through February 1^st each year. Students must also submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by January 2^nd each year in order to be considered for need-based scholarships.

Learn more and apply through our scholarship website:

scholarships.wcu.edu

*costs are subject to change