Western Carolina University Acceptance Rate
Cullowhee, North Carolina · Public · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 18,183
- Admitted
- 15,758
- Yield
- 13.3%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, Western Carolina University's acceptance rate has risen from 43.1% in 2014–15 to 86.7% in 2023–24. Applications grew from 15,398 to 18,183 (+18%) over that period.
Its 86.7% rate makes Western Carolina University more selective than about 28% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 53 tracked North Carolina schools, it is more selective than about 26%.
In 2023–24, women were admitted at a higher rate (88.9% for women vs 83.2% for men, a 5.7-point gap). Western Carolina University has been test-optional since 2021–22. Of admitted students, 13.3% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 15,398 | 6,638 | 43.1% | 1,756 |
| 2015–16 | 17,699 | 7,127 | 40.3% | 1,639 |
| 2016–17 | 18,297 | 7,445 | 40.7% | 1,924 |
| 2017–18 | 19,391 | 7,532 | 38.8% | 1,998 |
| 2018–19 | 19,344 | 7,672 | 39.7% | 2,198 |
| 2019–20 | 11,128 | 7,646 | 68.7% | 2,107 |
| 2020–21 | 15,036 | 7,290 | 48.5% | 1,823 |
| 2021–22 | 12,308 | 9,775 | 79.4% | 1,729 |
| 2022–23 | 17,917 | 15,201 | 84.8% | 1,932 |
| 2023–24 | 18,183 | 15,758 | 86.7% | 2,103 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 11,122 | 9,890 | 88.9% |
| Men | 7,044 | 5,858 | 83.2% |
| Unknown | 17 | 10 | 58.8% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 540–650 | 9% |
| SAT Math | 510–610 | |
| ACT Composite | 20–26 | 23% |
How Western Carolina University compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is Western Carolina University's acceptance rate?
Western Carolina University's acceptance rate is 86.7% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (15,758 admitted of 18,183 applicants).
Is Western Carolina University test optional?
Western Carolina University is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to Western Carolina University?
Western Carolina University received 18,183 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 15,758.
What SAT score do you need for Western Carolina University?
Admitted students at Western Carolina University typically scored 540–650 on SAT Reading/Writing and 510–610 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is Western Carolina University getting harder to get into?
Western Carolina University has become easier to get into: its acceptance rate went from 43.1% in 2014–15 to 86.7% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: www.wcu.edu/.