WCU 2024 Tuition Fees & Total Cost of Attendance

In-State Tuition & Fees

$4,367

Cost of attendance at Western Carolina University in 2022 for students from North Carolina.

See how the college's in-state sticker price compares to 4 year , public colleges in the state as well as nationally.

North Carolina's average	$7,237
National average	$8,573

Out-of-State Tuition & Fees

$8,367

Cost of attendance at Western Carolina University in 2022 for the out-of-state and international students

See how the college's out-of-state sticker price compares to 4 year , public colleges in the state as well as nationally.

North Carolina's average	$20,075
National average	$18,862

Average Net Price

The net price represents the amount of money students pay after receiving financial aid. In 2022, the average net price for first-year, full-time students at Western Carolina University was $13,082. This amount varies among students due to the different levels of financial aid offered based on their family's financial status.

Financial aid includes federal, state, or local government grants and institutional grants and scholarships

Visit the financial aid page for more in-depth stats and analysis of financial aids offered at WCU

WCU net price calculator

$13,082

Below is the average net price of 4 year, public colleges in North Carolina and nationwide.

North Carolina's average	$12,201
National average	$12,582

Below is the net price of WCU for the past 10 years categorized by different levels of family income brackets.
Year	Average	Price Change	Less than $30k	$30k to $48k	$48k to $75k	$75k to $110k	over $110k
2022	$13,082	$139 (1%)	$8,951	$11,422	$14,153	$16,890	$18,128
2021	$13,221	$256 (2%)	$9,305	$11,625	$14,701	$17,042	$17,857
2020	$12,965	$2,056 (14%)	$9,188	$11,358	$14,063	$16,857	$17,816
2019	$15,021	$565 (4%)	$10,983	$12,834	$16,707	$20,056	$20,699
2018	$14,456	$810 (6%)	$10,670	$12,550	$16,474	$18,970	$20,093
2017	$13,646	$966 (8%)	$9,932	$11,506	$15,377	$18,446	$19,411
2016	$12,680	$236 (2%)	$8,921	$10,545	$14,515	$17,612	$18,269
2015	$12,916	$938 (8%)	$9,009	$10,838	$14,000	$17,217	$17,957
2014	$11,978	--	$8,558	$9,280	$13,161	$16,630	$17,432

Cost of Attendance Breakdown and Change History

The table below presents the breakdown of Western Carolina University's in-state sticker price (cost of attendance) into different categories, along with their trends over the past ten years:
Year	Sticker Price (COA)	Cost Change	Tuition & Fees	Room & Board	Books & Supplies
2022	$19,349	$152	$4,367	$14,361	$621
2021	$19,197	$12	$4,285	$14,296	$616
2020	$19,185	$51	$4,277	$13,849	$1,059
2019	$19,134	$3,184 (14%)	$3,926	$13,403	$1,805
2018	$22,318	$814 (4%)	$6,897	$13,089	$2,332
2017	$21,504	$618 (3%)	$6,737	$12,616	$2,151
2016	$20,886	$527 (3%)	$6,623	$12,110	$2,153
2015	$20,359	$1,538 (7%)	$6,305	$11,946	$2,108
2014	$21,897	$1,045 (5%)	$6,265	$13,451	$2,181
2013	$20,852	--	$5,925	$12,769	$2,158

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions that may help you in your college cost research.

Does WCU provide dormitory? How much is the cost?: The college makes 3,815 dormitories available to its students at $6,403 per school year. One academic year is typically nine months, so the cost of on-campus housing at WCU is $711 per month.
Does WCU provide a meal plan, and what is the cost like?: The average price of a meal plan at WCU for one academic year is $5,029, which works out to $559 per month.
What is the average cost of textbooks and course materials per annum?: WCU estimates that a full-time first-year student would need approximately $621.
Are there any additional expenses, such as transportation or personal expenses, that I should consider?: Depending on living arrangement, WCU estimates that students would need the following amount for personal and miscellaneous expenses. This category covers additional costs that students may incur throughout the academic year, such as transportation, personal supplies, and leisure activities.

If living on-campus: $2,933

If living off-campus, with family: $2,933

If living off-campus, not with family: $2,933
How much is WCU application fees?: The application fee for undergraduate students is $65 and $65 for graduates.
Are there any payment plans or options for installment payments?: WCU offers the following payment plans: Prepaid tuition plan, Guaranteed tuition plan, Other alternative tuition plan

Cost per Credit Hour

Western Carolina University cost of courses per credit hour.
	Undergraduate Programs	Graduate Programs
For in-state students	$177	$433
For out-of-state students	$333	$1,197

Housing and Meal

Western Carolina University offers separate meal and housing plans to its students, allowing them to choose either option based on their preferences. Here is a historical data of the housing and meal plan offered at Western Carolina University for the past 7 years.
Year	Meal price	Housing price	Combined price	Max meal per week	Dorm capacity
2022	$5,029	$6,403	N/A	0	3,815
2021	$5,029	$5,318	N/A	0	4,552
2020	$4,894	$5,206	N/A	0	4,552
2019	$4,706	$4,956	N/A	0	4,552
2018	$4,547	$4,616	N/A	21	4,552
2017	$4,426	$4,438	N/A	21	4,452
2016	$4,255	$3,876	N/A	21	4,095

Tuition Plans

Tuition plans offered by Western Carolina University during 2022 academic year.

Prepaid tuition plan

Not Offered
Guaranteed tuition plan

Not Offered
Tuition payment plan

Offered
Other alternative tuition plan

Not Offered

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Western Carolina University