Is Western Carolina University worth it?
Western Carolina University is a public, four-year institution in Cullowhee, North Carolina (small town). It awarded 3,254 degrees and certificates in 2024, most often in registered nursing, business administration and management and psychology.
Employer and job title data for Western Carolina University is being added
Federal data below is live now. When the scan lands, this page will show graduates found employed, top employers, first and current job titles, industries, metros and the trend by class year.
- Employers and job titles from public professional profiles
- Industries, metros and states graduates were found in
- Found employed by class year, 2020 to 2025
Claimed schools are scanned first
Federal data
Federal context for Western Carolina University
Published by the federal government for federally aided students. It does not say which employers hire graduates.
Median earnings 1 year after
$40,015
Median earnings 4 years after
$54,667
Median earnings 10 years after
$49,458
Average net price
$13,315
Completion rate
60%
Completions (2024)
3,254
Years to pay back
under 1 year
Students (undergrad)
10,024
Median earnings after completing, by program
| Program | Credential | Median earnings, 1yr | Median earnings, 4yr | Graduates counted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Bachelor's | $68,774 | $79,533 | 245 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | Bachelor's | $39,513 | $57,713 | 242 |
| Marketing | Bachelor's | $33,197 | $56,568 | 191 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | Bachelor's | $38,682 | $55,903 | 171 |
| Psychology, General | Bachelor's | $27,505 | $48,350 | 149 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | Bachelor's | $40,594 | $47,105 | 129 |
| Biology, General | Bachelor's | $28,381 | $50,180 | 107 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Master's | $106,628 | $122,811 | 90 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | Bachelor's | $40,575 | $58,076 | 88 |
| Social Work | Master's | $47,280 | $58,911 | 75 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | Master's | $59,947 | $77,673 | 75 |
| Education, General | Master's | $47,964 | $54,249 | 69 |
| Communication and Media Studies | Bachelor's | $28,996 | $43,322 | 67 |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services | Master's | $40,079 | $51,558 | 67 |
| Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General | Bachelor's | $59,813 | $78,801 | 64 |
Source: College Scorecard, June 2026 release, and IPEDS. Earnings cover federally aided students only, so they do not cover every graduate.
Awards conferred, by program
| Program | Award level | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse | Bachelor's | 266 |
| Business Administration and Management, General | Bachelor's | 255 |
| Psychology, General | Bachelor's | 150 |
| Criminal Justice/Safety Studies | Bachelor's | 139 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | Bachelor's | 121 |
| Public Administration | Bachelor's | 105 |
| Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic) | Bachelor's | 91 |
| Kindergarten/Preschool Education and Teaching | Bachelor's | 82 |
| Marketing/Marketing Management, General | Bachelor's | 70 |
| Biology/Biological Sciences, General | Bachelor's | 68 |
Federal view: Census PSEO, most recent federal cohort, one year after completion
| Industry | Share of graduates | Graduates counted |
|---|---|---|
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 22% | 7,350 |
| Educational Services | 22% | 7,219 |
| Public Administration | 10% | 3,288 |
| Retail Trade | 7% | 2,305 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 6% | 2,125 |
| Manufacturing | 6% | 1,931 |
| Accommodation and Food Services | 5% | 1,757 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 4% | 1,383 |
Similar schools
Other public four year schools in North Carolina
Same state, same sector, nearest by completions.
North Carolina A & T State University
Greensboro, NC
57%
completion rate
2,790
completions
Graduate data being added
See the pageUniversity of North Carolina at Greensboro
Greensboro, NC
56%
completion rate
4,525
completions
Graduate data being added
See the pageUniversity of North Carolina at Pembroke
Pembroke, NC
44%
completion rate
1,948
completions
Graduate data being added
See the pageFor school staff
Claim this page
Correct your page, verify your outcomes, and add the graduates a public profile scan cannot see. Claimed schools are scanned first.
Sources: federal figures for Western Carolina University. Federal figures from College Scorecard and IPEDS. Occupation pay from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS for North Carolina. Counts under 10 are not published.
Updated September 18, 2026 · Methodology · Report a problem with this page