GraduateSmart
GraduateSmart
$4,630
per year
In-State Tuition
85%
Acceptance Rate
60%
Graduation Rate
79%
Retention Rate
Western Carolina University is an educational institution in Cullowhee, NC. Check program requirements, costs and credit policies with the institution.
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34 of 36 CLEP exams accepted
Healthcare & Medicine
Business & Finance
Engineering
Sports & Fitness
Hospitality & Culinary
Broad degrees built to transfer into a bachelor’s program rather than lead to one specific career. They’re a common starting point at community colleges — you pick your major after you transfer.
A broad program across the humanities, social sciences, mathematics and natural sciences, most often taken as a transfer degree into a bachelor's program. NCES CIP 24.0101 "Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies".
8
Sports
4
Men’s teams
6
Women’s teams
Team Sports(6)
Football
Basketball
Baseball
Softball
Soccer
Volleyball
Individual Sports(2)
Tennis
Golf
Typical Admitted Student
Application Requirements
Historical data for first-time undergraduate applicants seeking a degree or certificate; requirements may have changed. This does not specify a number of recommendation letters.
Confirm current admission requirements with the school, including any program or transfer requirements.
In-State Students
Out-of-State Students
WCU's Catamount Commitment pays $1,000-$3,000 a year by weighted GPA to timely Fall 2027 first-year applicants; Honors Scholars and the $1,000 ENGAGE award are competitive.
For students entering Fall 2027
Catamount Commitment Level 3 (NC, weighted GPA 4.0+)
Automatic$3,000 per year
Renewable: 3.0 cumulative WCU GPA, at least 12 credit hours each fall and spring, good standing, and yearly scholarship application and FAFSA (or exemption) by Feb 1
Apply for admission by the Feb 1 priority deadline and submit the FAFSA (or request an exemption) by Feb 1; sign the Participation Agreement by May 1
For North Carolina students. Based on the weighted GPA on your final high school transcript; $12,000 over four years. You receive only the award for your band.
Catamount Commitment Level 2 (NC, weighted GPA 3.5-3.99)
Automatic$2,000 per year
Renewable: 3.0 cumulative WCU GPA, at least 12 credit hours each fall and spring, good standing, and yearly scholarship application and FAFSA (or exemption) by Feb 1
Apply for admission by the Feb 1 priority deadline and submit the FAFSA (or request an exemption) by Feb 1; sign the Participation Agreement by May 1
For North Carolina students with a weighted GPA of 3.5-3.99; $8,000 over four years. You receive only the award for your band.
Catamount Commitment Level 1 (NC, weighted GPA up to 3.49)
Automatic$1,000 per year
Renewable: 3.0 cumulative WCU GPA, at least 12 credit hours each fall and spring, good standing, and yearly scholarship application and FAFSA (or exemption) by Feb 1
Apply for admission by the Feb 1 priority deadline and submit the FAFSA (or request an exemption) by Feb 1; sign the Participation Agreement by May 1
For admitted North Carolina students with a weighted GPA up to 3.49 who meet UNC System minimum requirements; $4,000 over four years. You receive only the award for your band.
Catamount Commitment (non-NC, weighted GPA 4.0+)
Automatic$3,000 per year
Renewable: 3.0 cumulative WCU GPA, at least 12 credit hours each fall and spring, good standing, and yearly scholarship application and FAFSA (or exemption) by Feb 1
Apply for admission by the Feb 1 priority deadline and submit the FAFSA (or request an exemption) by Feb 1; sign the Participation Agreement by May 1
For non-North Carolina students; $12,000 over four years. You receive only the award for your band. Out-of-state award is only guaranteed for the Class of 2027.
Students: add profile GPA and scores to check.
Requirements change yearly; colleges may recalculate GPAs. Confirm requirements and deadlines with the college.
College scholarship pageChecked Oct 26, 2026
From the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, most recent reporting cohort.
Net Price(family income < $30K)
$8,816
Per year, after grants & scholarships
Median Earnings
$49,458
10 years after entry, working full-time
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,868
Among completers who borrowed
Verified on Jul 2026
⚠️ Partial acceptance — not all exams listed below may be accepted. Verify each with the registrar before planning your CLEP strategy.
| Exam | Credits | Min Score | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
CLEP American Government Political Science | 3 | 50 | Accepted |
CLEP American Literature Literature & Humanities | 3 | 50 | Accepted |
CLEP Analyzing and Interpreting Literature Literature & Humanities | 3 | 50 | Accepted |
CLEP Biology Biology & Science | 4 | 50 | Accepted |
CLEP Calculus Mathematics | 4 | 50 | Accepted |
CLEP Chemistry Science | 4 | 50 | Accepted |
CLEP College Algebra Mathematics | 3 | 50 | Accepted |
CLEP College Composition English & Writing | 6 | 50 | Accepted |
CLEP College Composition Modular English & Writing | — | — | Not Accepted |
CLEP College Mathematics Mathematics | 3 | 50 | Accepted |
Type
Public University
Location
Cullowhee, North Carolina
Jackson County
Control
Public
Programs Listed
55 career paths
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