Cullowhee, NC · Public · Graduate degree · College Scorecard data · Updated September 10, 2026
| Tuition | Difference | |
|---|---|---|
| Western Carolina University (in-state) | $4,630 | — |
| NC average | $14,116 | -67% |
| National average | $18,082 | -74% |
| Per year | Four years | |
|---|---|---|
| In-state | $4,630 | $18,520 |
| Out-of-state | $8,630 | $34,520 |
Tuition only. Housing, books and living costs are not included — most colleges publish a fuller cost-of-attendance figure.
Western Carolina University ranks 62 by in-state tuition among the 133 NC colleges that report a rate — lower is cheaper. Out-of-state students pay 86% more than in-state students.
| Colleges with a similar price to Western Carolina University | In-state tuition |
|---|---|
| Fayetteville State University | $4,353 |
| Southwestern Community College | $4,112 |
| University of North Carolina at Pembroke | $3,648 |
| Gaston College | $3,186 |
In-state tuition at Western Carolina University is $4,630 per year; out-of-state students pay $8,630.
Western Carolina University in-state tuition is 67% below the NC average of $14,116.
National average in-state tuition is $18,082; Western Carolina University is 74% below that.
$4,630 is the official in-state tuition published by College Scorecard for the most recent cohort year.
Four years of tuition at Western Carolina University comes to about $18,520 for an in-state student and $34,520 for an out-of-state student at current rates. That is tuition only — it excludes housing, books and living costs.
By in-state tuition, Western Carolina University ranks 62 out of the 133 NC colleges that report a rate — lower numbers are cheaper. The five cheapest and five most expensive colleges in the state are listed above.