Western Carolina's tuition & fees has increased from $16,698 (2014) to $8,532 (2024), and the rate of tuition increase is 48.90% over the past 10 years. The graduate school tuition & fees has raised from $17,141 (year 2014) to $18,497 (year 2024).
Western Carolina's tuition increase rate is lower than the North Carolina's average increase rate of 4.51%. Compare to all colleges in United States, it's increase rate is lower than the average increase rate of 28.12%.
Cost of Attendance (COA) Trends
The total cost of attendance (COA), including tuition & fees, books & supplies costs, and living costs, increased by -17.20% from 2014 ($29,370).
For the current academic year 2023-2024, Western Carolina's COA is $24,319, which is increased by 4.19% from last year.
The following table and chart show changes to Western Carolina's COA over the past 10 years.
Tuition & Fees Changes
The tuition & fees have decreased 48.90% for the last 10 years , and the 2024 tuition & fees are $8,532. The following table and chart show the tuition & fees changes at Western Carolina University over last the 10 years.
Books & Supplies Costs Changes
The cost of purchasing books & supplies which are required/recommended for courses $693, and it has decreased -67.13% from the year 2014 to 2024.
| Year | Books & Supplies | Change by Year |
|---|
| 2014-15 | $2,108 | - |
|---|
| 2015-16 | $2,153 | 2.13% |
|---|
| 2016-17 | $2,151 | -0.09% |
|---|
| 2017-18 | $2,332 | 8.41% |
|---|
| 2018-19 | $1,055 | -54.76% |
|---|
| 2019-20 | $1,059 | 0.38% |
|---|
| 2020-21 | $616 | -41.83% |
|---|
| 2021-22 | $621 | 0.81% |
|---|
| 2022-23 | $664 | 6.92% |
|---|
| 2023-24 | $693 | 4.37% |
|---|
Living Costs Changes
The living costs including room, board, and other living expenses have increased 33.03% when a student lives on-campus facilities and 24.03% when living-off campus from the year 2014 to 2024. The following table shows the changes in living costs at Western Carolina University.
| Year | Living On Campus | Living Off Campus | Change by Year |
|---|
| 2014-15 | $10,564 | $11,946 | - |
|---|
| 2015-16 | $11,238 | $12,110 | 6.38% |
|---|
| 2016-17 | $12,032 | $12,616 | 7.07% |
|---|
| 2017-18 | $12,223 | $13,089 | 1.59% |
|---|
| 2018-19 | $12,724 | $13,403 | 4.10% |
|---|
| 2019-20 | $13,404 | $13,849 | 5.34% |
|---|
| 2020-21 | $13,973 | $14,296 | 4.25% |
|---|
| 2021-22 | $14,030 | $14,361 | 0.41% |
|---|
| 2022-23 | $14,224 | $15,116 | 1.38% |
|---|
| 2023-24 | $15,094 | $15,652 | 6.12% |
|---|
Compare Tuition Change to Similar Colleges
The following table compares 2024 tuition and increase rate from last year between Western Carolina University and similar schools.
| 2024 | 2023 | Increase Rate |
|---|
| Western Carolina University | $8,532
($4,532) | $8,453
($4,453) | 0.93% |
|---|
|
| Wofford College | $54,100
($41,955) | $51,530
($41,955) | 4.99% |
|---|
|
| Samford University | $38,144
($30,490) | $36,725
($30,490) | 3.86% |
|---|
|
| East Tennessee State University | $13,034
($9,706) | $12,740
($9,438) | 2.31% |
|---|
|
| Mercer University | $33,380
($24,480) | $30,317
($24,480) | 10.10% |
|---|
|
| Virginia Military Institute | $51,186
($20,484) | $49,722
($19,914) | 2.94% |
|---|
|