Wcu Student Population: How Many Go There?

Western Carolina University (WCU) is a public university located in Cullowhee, North Carolina. It is part of the University of North Carolina system and was founded in 1889. WCU has experienced significant growth in recent years, with enrollment exceeding 12,000 students from across the state, country, and the globe. The university offers a wide range of academic programs and is committed to providing access to higher education for students in the mountain region. As of Fall 2024, WCU reported an enrollment of 11,686 students, with a notable increase in male and out-of-state student enrollment.

Western Carolina University's total student enrollment

Western Carolina University (WCU) is a public university located in Cullowhee, North Carolina. It is part of the University of North Carolina system and was founded in 1889.

WCU has experienced significant growth in recent years, with enrollment exceeding 12,000 students from across the state, country, and the globe. The university offers a broad range of academic programs that are recognised for their quality and affordability. As of Fall 2024, WCU's total enrollment stood at 11,686 students, with 10,009 of those being undergraduate students. This represented an increase in total enrollment compared to the previous year, with the number of male students and out-of-state students also rising.

WCU's Fall 2024 freshman class was its third-largest ever, with 2,082 freshmen. The university also welcomed over 1,000 transfer students for the sixth time, contributing to healthy undergraduate enrollment. WCU's retention rate has improved in recent years, rebounding from declines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

WCU's main campus is located in the Southern Appalachian mountains, providing a unique setting for its students. The university offers more than 120 undergraduate majors and minors, along with over 40 graduate degree and certificate programs. It is committed to providing classroom study and applied experiences that prepare students for lifelong success.

Undergraduate enrollment

Western Carolina University (WCU) is a public university located in Cullowhee, North Carolina. It is part of the University of North Carolina system and was founded in 1889. WCU has experienced significant growth in recent years, with enrollment exceeding 12,000 students from across the state, country, and the globe.

According to the latest data, the total undergraduate enrollment at Western Carolina University for the Fall 2023 semester was 10,009 students. This number reflects a slight decrease from the Fall 2020 semester, which had an undergraduate enrollment of 12,243 students. However, it is important to note that the university's overall enrollment has been consistently high, and the decrease in undergraduate students can be attributed to the recent graduation of two of its largest classes.

WCU's undergraduate enrollment comprises a diverse group of students from different regions. The university serves students from 48 states and 35 countries, showcasing its broad reach and appeal. The university's main campus is located in the Southern Appalachian mountains, providing a unique setting for its students.

The Fall 2024 enrollment data for WCU shows a positive trend, with a total of 11,686 students enrolled. This includes a notable increase in the number of male students, as well as a slight increase in out-of-state students compared to the previous year. The first-year retention rate has also improved, reflecting the university's efforts to support its students through the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

WCU's undergraduate enrollment benefits from the university's commitment to providing a high-quality and affordable education. The NC Promise program offers reduced tuition benefits to both in-state and out-of-state students, making WCU an attractive option for those seeking a cost-effective yet reputable education.

Male student enrollment

Western Carolina University (WCU) is a public institution based in Cullowhee, North Carolina, with a second campus in Asheville. It has experienced significant growth over the past decade, with an enrollment of over 12,000 students, including more than 9,000 undergraduates.

WCU's student body is approximately 41% male, with 5,244 male students enrolled across all programs as of 2022. Of these, 4,500 reside on campus in Cullowhee. The gender breakdown for full-time undergraduates is 55% female and 45% male, while for graduate students, it is 68% female and 32% male.

In 2022, WCU awarded 1,420 degrees to male students, with the most common bachelor's degree concentrations being General Business Administration & Management (140 degrees), Registered Nursing (35 degrees), and Criminal Justice - Safety Studies (unknown degree count).

The most common race/ethnicity group of male degree recipients was white (1,087 degrees), followed by hispanic or latino (72 degrees).

Out-of-state student enrollment

Western Carolina University (WCU) is a public university located in Cullowhee, North Carolina. It is the westernmost campus of the University of North Carolina (UNC) system. The university has experienced significant growth over the past decade, with enrollment exceeding 12,000 students from across the state, country, and globe.

As of Fall 2023, WCU has a total undergraduate enrollment of 10,009 students, with 9,719 in-state students and 1,909 out-of-state students. This represents a substantial increase in out-of-state student enrollment, as the university has actively expanded its reach and impact beyond the mountain region. The out-of-state student population at WCU has been drawn from a diverse range of locations, with students coming from 48 states and 35 countries outside of North Carolina. This diversity enriches the campus community and contributes to a vibrant and multicultural learning environment.

The relatively low out-of-state tuition and fees, set at $8,630, compared to other institutions, have likely played a role in attracting a higher number of out-of-state students to WCU. Additionally, the university's commitment to maintaining accessibility and reducing costs while providing a high-quality education has been a driving factor in its efforts to enroll more out-of-state students. The implementation of the NC Promise Tuition Plan further reduced the financial burden on out-of-state students, setting their tuition at $2,500 per semester, making WCU an even more attractive option for those residing outside of North Carolina.

The appeal of WCU to out-of-state students also stems from its broad range of academic programs that are recognized for their quality and affordability. The university offers over 115 undergraduate majors and concentrations and more than 40 graduate programs, including high-demand degrees in engineering, science, healthcare, education, humanities, business, and the arts. The rural setting of the campus, nestled amidst the biodiversity and natural beauty of the Southern Appalachian Mountains, provides a unique environment for academic discovery and outdoor recreational opportunities that are especially appealing to students from different regions.

First-year retention rate

Western Carolina University (WCU) is a public university located in Cullowhee, North Carolina. Founded in 1889, it has a total undergraduate enrollment of 10,009 students as of Fall 2023. The university's main campus is situated in the Southern Appalachian Mountains, providing a unique learning environment and outdoor recreation opportunities for its students.

WCU's first-year retention rate for full-time students has been above the national average over the past 11 years, with an average retention rate of 78.10%. The retention rate for part-time students during the same period was 62.90%.

The university has experienced fluctuations in its retention rates over the years. For example, in the fall of 2021, first-year enrollment decreased to 1,745 students, but it rebounded to 1,947 in Fall 2022 and further increased to 2,108 in Fall 2023. This growth in enrollment numbers is a positive sign for the university.

The retention rate for the spring semesters has also shown improvement. In Spring 2022, the retention rate was 86.5%, which increased to 87.1% in Spring 2023, and is estimated to be about 89.9% in Spring 2024. This indicates that WCU's efforts to support student success and enhance academic advising are yielding positive results.

WCU's first-year retention rate of 81% for full-time students is higher than the national average of 70.57% and the North Carolina average of 66.53%. This indicates that a significant majority of first-time, full-time students choose to continue their studies at WCU for their second year.

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