2026 Rankings for Western Carolina University

Which College Factual rankings and awards has WCU received from College Factual? Any College Factual rankings and awards WCU has received are listed below.

WCU was awarded 373 ranking badges in College Factual’s 2026 rankings.

Top Rankings for WCU:



#1 out of 30	#1 out of 30	#2 out of 11	#2 out of 11

WCU offers graduate-level programs too. View its [graduate-school rankings](/graduate-schools/western-carolina-university/rankings/) for master's and doctorate accolades.

How WCU Ranks in College Factual’s Best Quality Rankings

#783 Best Colleges

#1 Best Other Marketing Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina

#1 Best Other Marketing Schools in North Carolina

Top Ranked Majors

WCU has 778 top ranked majors, led by its placement in the Best Other Marketing Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina Ranking.

The best rankings are listed below:

Ranking Name	Rank	Out Of	Details
Best Interior Design Management Schools in North Carolina	1	2	View Report
Best Other Marketing Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	1	1	View Report
Best Other Marketing Schools in North Carolina	1	1	View Report
Best Other Radio, Television Digital Communication Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	1	1	View Report
Best Other Radio, Television Digital Communication Schools in North Carolina	1	1	View Report
Best Construction Engineering Technology/Technician Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	1	1	View Report
Best Construction Engineering Technology/Technician Schools in North Carolina	1	1	View Report
Best Construction Engineering Technology Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	1	1	View Report
Best Construction Engineering Technology Schools in North Carolina	1	1	View Report
Best Electrical, Electronic & Communications Engineering Technology/Technician Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	1	2	View Report
Best Electrical, Electronic & Communications Engineering Technology/Technician Schools in North Carolina	1	4	View Report
Best Electronics Engineering Technology Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	1	3	View Report
Best Electronics Engineering Technology Schools in North Carolina	1	7	View Report
Best Engineering Technology Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	1	1	View Report
Best Engineering Technology Schools in North Carolina	1	1	View Report
Best General Engineering Technology Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	1	1	View Report
Best General Engineering Technology Schools in North Carolina	1	3	View Report
Best Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic) Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	1	1	View Report
Best General Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	1	4	View Report
Best General Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences Schools in North Carolina	1	4	View Report
Best Health Sciences & Services Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	1	4	View Report
Best Health Sciences & Services Schools in North Carolina	1	4	View Report
Best Outdoor Education Schools in North Carolina	1	2	View Report
Best Outdoor Education Schools in the Southeast Region	1	2	View Report
Best Outdoor Education Schools in North Carolina	1	2	View Report
Best Outdoor Education Schools in the Southeast Region	1	2	View Report
Best Forensic Chemistry Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	1	1	View Report
Best Forensic Chemistry Schools in North Carolina	1	1	View Report
Best Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	1	1	View Report
Best Public Administration Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	1	1	View Report
Best General Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration Schools in North Carolina	2	3	View Report
Best Human Resource Management Schools in North Carolina	2	3	View Report
Best Educational, Instructional, & Curriculum Supervision Schools in North Carolina	2	2	View Report
Best Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	2	5	View Report
Best Electrical, Electronic & Communications Engineering Technology/Technician Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region	2	7	View Report
Best Electronics Engineering Technology Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region	2	8	View Report
Best Spanish Language & Literature Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	2	3	View Report
Best Spanish Language & Literature Schools in North Carolina	2	4	View Report
Best Romance Languages Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	2	4	View Report
Best Romance Languages Schools in North Carolina	2	4	View Report
Best General Communication Sciences & Disorders Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	2	2	View Report
Best General Communication Sciences & Disorders Schools in North Carolina	2	3	View Report
Best Environmental Health Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	2	2	View Report
Best General Music Schools in North Carolina	2	3	View Report
Best General Hospitality Administration/Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	3	3	View Report
Best General Hospitality Administration/Management Schools in North Carolina	3	3	View Report
Best College Student Counseling & Personnel Services Schools in North Carolina	3	6	View Report
Best Music Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	3	4	View Report
Best Music Education Schools in North Carolina	3	4	View Report
Best Physical Education Teaching & Coaching Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	3	3	View Report
Best Physical Education Teaching & Coaching Schools in North Carolina	3	3	View Report
Best Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Schools in North Carolina	3	12	View Report
Best Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic) Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region	3	7	View Report
Best Communication Sciences Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	3	4	View Report
Best Environmental Health Schools in North Carolina	3	3	View Report
Best Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	3	4	View Report
Best Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region	3	8	View Report
Best Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy Schools in North Carolina	3	4	View Report
Best Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy Schools in the Southeast Region	3	8	View Report
Best Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Professions Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	3	4	View Report
Best Natural Resources Management & Policy Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	3	3	View Report
Best Natural Resources Management & Policy Schools in North Carolina	3	3	View Report
Best Natural Resource Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	3	3	View Report
Best Natural Resource Management Schools in North Carolina	3	3	View Report
Best Forensic Chemistry Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region	3	3	View Report
Best Forensic Chemistry Schools in the Southeast Region	3	3	View Report
Best Criminal Justice Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	3	19	View Report
Best Criminal Justice Studies Schools in North Carolina	3	43	View Report
Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	3	29	View Report
Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in North Carolina	3	53	View Report
Best Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	3	29	View Report
Best Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in North Carolina	3	56	View Report
Best General Music Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	3	3	View Report
Best Music Performance Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	3	5	View Report
Best Music Performance Schools in North Carolina	3	5	View Report
Best Music Schools in North Carolina	3	7	View Report
Best Other Marketing Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region	4	4	View Report
Best Other Marketing Schools in the Southeast Region	4	6	View Report
Best General Management Information Systems Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	4	4	View Report
Best General Management Information Systems Schools in North Carolina	4	4	View Report
Best Management Information Systems Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	4	5	View Report
Best Management Information Systems Schools in North Carolina	4	5	View Report
Best Other Radio, Television Digital Communication Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region	4	6	View Report
Best Other Radio, Television Digital Communication Schools in the Southeast Region	4	6	View Report
Best Radio, Television & Digital Communication Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	4	4	View Report
Best General Education Schools in North Carolina	4	7	View Report
Best General Education Schools in North Carolina	4	7	View Report
Best General Special Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	4	5	View Report
Best General Special Education Schools in North Carolina	4	5	View Report
Best Special Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	4	5	View Report
Best Teacher Education Subject Specific Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	4	9	View Report
Best Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region	4	12	View Report
Best Electrical, Electronic & Communications Engineering Technology/Technician Schools in the Southeast Region	4	21	View Report
Best Electronics Engineering Technology Schools in the Southeast Region	4	30	View Report
Best Electrical Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	4	4	View Report
Best Electrical Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	4	4	View Report
Best Allied Health Professions Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	4	4	View Report
Best Communication Sciences Schools in North Carolina	4	6	View Report
Best Dietetics/Dietitian Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	4	4	View Report
Best Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	4	4	View Report

How WCU Ranks for Value

Top Placement in Best Value Bachelor's Degree Schools Ranking

#282 out of 2,000.

This makes WCU a top 5% value school for students seeking value.

The Best Colleges for the Money Ranking recognizes colleges that deliver a strong education at a reasonable price.

Top Value Majors

WCU has 778 best-value majors, including its placement in the Best Value Interior Design Management Schools in North Carolina Ranking.

The best rankings are listed below:

Ranking Name	Rank	Out Of	Details
Best Value Other Marketing Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	1	1	View Report
Best Value Other Marketing Schools in North Carolina	1	1	View Report
Best Value General Management Information Systems Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	1	4	View Report
Best Value General Management Information Systems Schools in North Carolina	1	4	View Report
Best Value Other Radio, Television Digital Communication Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	1	1	View Report
Best Value Other Radio, Television Digital Communication Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region	1	8	View Report
Best Value Other Radio, Television Digital Communication Schools in North Carolina	1	1	View Report
Best Value Other Radio, Television Digital Communication Schools in the Southeast Region	1	9	View Report
Best Value Radio, Television & Digital Communication Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	1	4	View Report
Best Value Educational, Instructional, & Curriculum Supervision Schools in North Carolina	1	3	View Report
Best Value General Education Schools in North Carolina	1	7	View Report
Best Value General Education Schools in North Carolina	1	7	View Report
Best Value Science Education Schools in North Carolina	1	6	View Report
Best Value Construction Engineering Technology/Technician Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	1	1	View Report
Best Value Construction Engineering Technology/Technician Schools in North Carolina	1	1	View Report
Best Value Construction Engineering Technology Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	1	1	View Report
Best Value Construction Engineering Technology Schools in North Carolina	1	1	View Report
Best Value Electrical, Electronic & Communications Engineering Technology/Technician Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	1	2	View Report
Best Value Engineering Technology Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	1	1	View Report
Best Value Engineering Technology Schools in North Carolina	1	1	View Report
Best Value General Engineering Technology Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	1	1	View Report
Best Value Engineering Technologies Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	1	6	View Report
Best Value General Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	1	7	View Report
Best Value General Engineering Schools in North Carolina	1	7	View Report
Best Value General Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	1	7	View Report
Best Value Spanish Language & Literature Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	1	4	View Report
Best Value Spanish Language & Literature Schools in North Carolina	1	4	View Report
Best Value Romance Languages Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	1	4	View Report
Best Value Romance Languages Schools in North Carolina	1	4	View Report
Best Value Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic) Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	1	1	View Report
Best Value Dietetics/Dietitian Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	1	4	View Report
Best Value Dietetics/Dietitian Schools in North Carolina	1	6	View Report
Best Value Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	1	4	View Report
Best Value Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services Schools in North Carolina	1	6	View Report
Best Value General Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	1	4	View Report
Best Value General Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences Schools in North Carolina	1	4	View Report
Best Value Health Sciences & Services Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	1	4	View Report
Best Value Health Sciences & Services Schools in North Carolina	1	4	View Report
Best Value Environmental Health Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	1	3	View Report
Best Value Environmental Health Schools in North Carolina	1	3	View Report
Best Value Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	1	4	View Report
Best Value Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region	1	8	View Report
Best Value Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy Schools in North Carolina	1	4	View Report
Best Value Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy Schools in the Southeast Region	1	9	View Report
Best Value Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Professions Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	1	4	View Report
Best Value Natural Resources Management & Policy Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	1	3	View Report
Best Value Natural Resources Management & Policy Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region	1	8	View Report
Best Value Natural Resources Management & Policy Schools in North Carolina	1	3	View Report
Best Value Natural Resource Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	1	3	View Report
Best Value Natural Resource Management Schools in North Carolina	1	3	View Report
Best Value Sports Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	1	30	View Report
Best Value Sports Management Schools in North Carolina	1	30	View Report
Best Value Outdoor Education Schools in North Carolina	1	2	View Report
Best Value Outdoor Education Schools in the Southeast Region	1	2	View Report
Best Value Outdoor Education Schools in North Carolina	1	2	View Report
Best Value Outdoor Education Schools in the Southeast Region	1	2	View Report
Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	1	6	View Report
Best Value Recreation Administration Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	1	6	View Report
Best Value Forensic Chemistry Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	1	1	View Report
Best Value Forensic Chemistry Schools in North Carolina	1	1	View Report
Best Value Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	1	1	View Report
Best Value Public Administration Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	1	1	View Report
Best Value Interior Design Management Schools in North Carolina	2	8	View Report
Best Value General Hospitality Administration/Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	2	4	View Report
Best Value General Hospitality Administration/Management Schools in North Carolina	2	4	View Report
Best Value Hospitality Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	2	5	View Report
Best Value General Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration Schools in North Carolina	2	2	View Report
Best Value Human Resource Management Schools in North Carolina	2	2	View Report
Best Value Management Information Systems Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	2	5	View Report
Best Value Management Information Systems Schools in North Carolina	2	5	View Report
Best Value Communication & Media Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	2	23	View Report
Best Value Communication & Media Studies Schools in North Carolina	2	23	View Report
Best Value Radio, Television & Digital Communication Schools in North Carolina	2	5	View Report
Best Value General Special Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	2	5	View Report
Best Value General Special Education Schools in North Carolina	2	6	View Report
Best Value Special Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	2	5	View Report
Best Value Special Education Schools in North Carolina	2	6	View Report
Best Value Art Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	2	5	View Report
Best Value Art Education Schools in North Carolina	2	5	View Report
Best Value Science Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	2	6	View Report
Best Value Teacher Education Subject Specific Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	2	9	View Report
Best Value Teacher Education Subject Specific Schools in North Carolina	2	10	View Report
Best Value Electronics Engineering Technology Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	2	3	View Report
Best Value Electrical Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	2	4	View Report
Best Value Electrical Engineering Schools in North Carolina	2	5	View Report
Best Value Electrical Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	2	4	View Report
Best Value Electrical Engineering Schools in North Carolina	2	5	View Report
Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	2	9	View Report
Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in North Carolina	2	9	View Report
Best Value Allied Health Professions Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	2	4	View Report
Best Value General Communication Sciences & Disorders Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	2	3	View Report
Best Value General Communication Sciences & Disorders Schools in North Carolina	2	4	View Report
Best Value Communication Sciences Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	2	4	View Report
Best Value Communication Sciences Schools in North Carolina	2	6	View Report
Best Value Physical Therapy/Therapist Schools in North Carolina	2	6	View Report
Best Value Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Professions Schools in North Carolina	2	10	View Report
Best Value General History Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	2	15	View Report
Best Value General History Schools in North Carolina	2	15	View Report
Best Value History Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina	2	15	View Report
Best Value History Schools in North Carolina	2	15	View Report

More About the Rankings

All logos and editorial content on College Factual and any of its affiliate sites are trademark and copyright protected. All commercial use requires the express written consent of College Factual.

Notes and References

The rankings above are built on federal education data, 2026 edition.

The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).

More about our data sources and methodologies.