Western Carolina University

In 2021, tuition for full-time students at Western Carolina University was $1,000 a year for in-state students and $5,000 a year for out-of-state students.

Usually, college tuition rises about 3% year.

If this makes attending the college of your dreams seem daunting, remember, the displayed price of tuition does not always mean much if you plan to use financial aid to help pay for college. Many students owe far less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts kick in. And, student loans can make thecost of college more manageable until you're done with college.

Tuition for international students at Western Carolina University is $11,157 per year.

Western Carolina University meets 63% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. First-year students that attend Western Carolina University full-time are awarded $9,540 a year in financial aid, on average.

In 2020, students graduated with an average of $28,245 in student loans for each student with debt.

Western Carolina University: In-state vs. Out-of-State Tuition

Western Carolina University is a public, state institution, which means it offers a reduced tuition rate of $1,000 for in-state students who attend full-time.Non-North Carolina residents can expect to pay 5,000 per year for tuition.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state status can cut the cost of college tuition. Don't forget to confirm your state's requirements for in-state residency. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be additional requirements too, depending on the state you and your parents currently live in.

Explore other North Carolina colleges

Is Western Carolina University's Tuition Different for International Students?

Western Carolina University has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students at Western Carolina University can expect to pay around $11,157 per year, before any scholarships or financial aid.

Students from outside of the U.S. are not eligible for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but should research private or Western Carolina University-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities.

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Western Carolina University Housing Expenses, Fees, and More

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In addition to tuition, room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when estimating the cost of attendance for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Western Carolina University.

Room and Board Costs at Western Carolina University

Housing and campus dining at Western Carolina University is $11,179 a year. This covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a dining plan that enables you to eat all or some of your meals the Western Carolina University's on-campus cafeterias and dining facilities. Students who live off campus but would like to be able to eat in the campus dining can opt-in for a meal plan. The cost of a mean plan, or board-only, is $6,710.

Board costs vary based on on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

Cost of Books at Western Carolina University

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The actual cost of books depends on the courses you take and the textbooks, computer programs, or other materials are required.. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Yearly Fees

The majority of colleges charge some yearly fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

Keep in mind, there could also be optional fees associated with participating in special activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or playing on an intramural sports team. Many schools offer ways so that those who may struggle to participate because of cost can get help covering these costs.

The Cost of Transportation at Western Carolina University

The cost of transportation in college can really vary. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus walkable? Do you own a car, or will you need to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these factors can drastically impact your transportation budget. Keeping in mind, first-year students are allowed to park a car on campus.

A school's location can also have a big effect on your transportation budget. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, transportation in a city can be pricey, but cities may offer more buses, trains and affordable flights to actually get to school. Western Carolina Universityis located in a rural area in North Carolina.

Other Costs

When you're planning for college, don’t forget to factor in the cost of things like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.

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Total Tuition and Expenses at Western Carolina University

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Now, let’s do a rundown of all of the costs associated with college, to get a better estimate of the actual cost of attending Western Carolina University.

Total Cost of Western Carolina University

What will the cost of attending Western Carolina University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$1,000
Out-of-State Tuition	$5,000
Room and Board	$11,179
Board Only	$4,387
Other expenses	$1,597

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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Financial Aid at Western Carolina University

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In 2023, 4,895 of the 9,956 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Western Carolina University meets 63% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $9,540 a year. Around 66% of Western Carolina University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Western Carolina University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $28,245 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$25,823
State Loans	$11,222
Private Loans	$22,671

Most Common Loans for Western Carolina University Students
Federal Loans	65%
State loans	1%
Private loans	8%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Western Carolina University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Western Carolina University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Western Carolina University awarded 4,895 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $36.2 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $4.43 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Western Carolina University Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Western Carolina University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Western Carolina University was $9,540 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Western Carolina University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus	$-1,302
Net In-state, Off-campus	$1,446
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$12,238

Note: a negative number can indicate that a refund will be given to use toward other expenses such as housing, fees, and books. In such cases, be sure to reach out to the school directly for any clarification or questions.

What will attending Western Carolina University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families understand the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Western Carolina University's net cost calculator on their website.

Western Carolina University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Western Carolina University Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to reduce the total cost of attendance. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Western Carolina University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

As of 2021, the total market value of Western Carolina University's endowment was $90.6 million. The average college endowment was $905 million in 2021.

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Learn More About Western Carolina University

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