Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, North Carolina · Public · 10,024 undergraduates
All 63 programs with reported earnings leave graduates out-earning a typical North Carolina high-school graduate (about $34,059/yr). Another 46 programs did not have enough data to judge.
What families actually pay
| Family income | Net price per year |
|---|---|
| Under $30k | $8,816 |
| $30k to $48k | $10,012 |
| $48k to $75k | $12,605 |
| $75k to $110k | $17,060 |
| $110k and up | $17,992 |
| All families (average) | $13,315 |
Net price is the yearly cost after grants and scholarships, by family income (College Scorecard). Credit: TuitionTracker.
Program earnings vs a high-school graduate
| Program | Credential | Median earnings | vs HS grad | Verdict | Median debt | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | Bachelor's Degree | $57,713 | +$23,654 | clears the bar | $21,836 | 0.9 yrs |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Bachelor's Degree | $79,533 | +$45,474 | clears the bar | $17,500 | 0.4 yrs |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | Bachelor's Degree | $47,105 | +$13,046 | clears the bar | $23,900 | 1.8 yrs |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | Bachelor's Degree | $55,903 | +$21,844 | clears the bar | $21,430 | 1 yr |
| Marketing | Bachelor's Degree | $56,568 | +$22,509 | clears the bar | $22,922 | 1 yr |
| Psychology, General | Bachelor's Degree | $48,350 | +$14,291 | clears the bar | $21,813 | 1.5 yrs |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Bachelor's Degree | $65,010 | +$30,951 | clears the bar | $25,090 | 0.8 yrs |
| Biology, General | Bachelor's Degree | $50,180 | +$16,121 | clears the bar | $25,193 | 1.6 yrs |
| Public Administration | Bachelor's Degree | $70,331 | +$36,272 | clears the bar | $17,234 | 0.5 yrs |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | Master's Degree | $100,807 | +$66,748 | clears the bar | $28,117 | 0.4 yrs |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | Master's Degree | $68,241 | +$34,182 | clears the bar | $16,418 | 0.5 yrs |
| Chemistry | Bachelor's Degree | $51,213 | +$17,154 | clears the bar | $19,618 | 1.1 yrs |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | Bachelor's Degree | $48,232 | +$14,173 | clears the bar | $24,927 | 1.8 yrs |
| Social Work | Bachelor's Degree | $50,025 | +$15,966 | clears the bar | $24,818 | 1.6 yrs |
| Education, General | Master's Degree | $54,249 | +$20,190 | clears the bar | $22,137 | 1.1 yrs |
Showing the 15 largest programs by graduates. See all 63 on the full profile.
Access and outcomes: 35% of students receive Pell grants · 60% complete their program.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 2026-06-10). Earnings are median earnings of graduates measured up to four years after completing, compared to the state high-school-graduate earnings threshold. Figures describe past graduates and are never a promise. Method: methodology. Something look wrong? Report it.