Top 2017 Rankings For Western Carolina University
A more complete picture of where Western Carolina University is the "best of the best" can be found on our 2017 Badges Awarded page.
All 2017 Rankings For Western Carolina University
Learn more about our methodologies that drive these rankings.
Top Quality Overall
better worse | |
| Nationwide | |
| Southeast | |
| North Carolina | 25 of 51 |
Best Colleges For The Money (all undergraduates)
better worse | |
| Nationwide | 379 of 1208 |
| Southeast | 94 of 312 |
| North Carolina | 14 of 41 |
Best Colleges For The Money (undergraduates getting aid)
better worse | |
| Nationwide | 417 of 1208 |
| Southeast | 93 of 312 |
| North Carolina | 16 of 41 |
Best Colleges For The Money (undergraduates getting no aid)
better worse | |
| Nationwide | 215 of 1208 |
| Southeast | 52 of 312 |
| North Carolina | 11 of 41 |
Diversity
better worse | |
| Overall | |
| Ethnic | |
| Male / Female | 347 of 1717 |
| Location |
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | 296 of 779 |
| Most Popular | 486 of 1399 |
| Most Focused | |
| Highest Paid Grads |
General Biology
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | 269 of 770 |
| Most Popular | 357 of 1357 |
| Most Focused | |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Business, Management & Marketing
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | 190 of 778 |
| Most Popular | 338 of 2090 |
| Most Focused | |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Accounting
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | 225 of 577 |
| Most Popular | 438 of 1344 |
| Most Focused | |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Business Administration & Management
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | 133 of 682 |
| Most Popular | 493 of 1756 |
| Most Focused | |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Entrepreneurial Studies
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | 27 of 56 |
| Most Popular | 37 of 195 |
| Most Focused | 70 of 195 |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Finance & Financial Management
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | 111 of 362 |
| Most Popular | 242 of 634 |
| Most Focused | |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Hospitality Management
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | 38 of 113 |
| Most Popular | 96 of 270 |
| Most Focused | 122 of 270 |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Management Information Systems
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | 61 of 150 |
| Most Popular | 124 of 369 |
| Most Focused | |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Marketing
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | 99 of 381 |
| Most Popular | 150 of 764 |
| Most Focused | 177 of 764 |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Communication & Journalism
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | 261 of 567 |
| Most Popular | 325 of 1209 |
| Most Focused | |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Communication & Media Studies
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | |
| Most Popular | 280 of 1018 |
| Most Focused | |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Radio, Television & Digital Communication
better worse | |
| Most Popular | 96 of 243 |
| Most Focused | |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Computer & Information Sciences
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | |
| Most Popular | 716 of 1632 |
| Most Focused | |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Computer Science
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | |
| Most Popular | 229 of 605 |
| Most Focused | |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Education
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | |
| Most Popular | 77 of 1377 |
| Most Focused | 232 of 1377 |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Special Education
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | |
| Most Popular | |
| Most Focused | |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Teacher Education Grade Specific
better worse | |
| Most Popular | 56 of 1174 |
| Most Focused | 204 of 1174 |
Teacher Education Subject Specific
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | 138 of 363 |
| Most Popular | 79 of 879 |
| Most Focused | 215 of 879 |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Engineering
better worse | |
| Most Popular | |
| Most Focused |
Electrical Engineering
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | 122 of 252 |
| Most Popular | |
| Most Focused | |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Engineering Technologies
better worse | |
| Most Popular | 93 of 471 |
| Most Focused | 197 of 471 |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Construction Engineering Technology
better worse | |
| Most Popular | |
| Most Focused | 32 of 65 |
Electronics Engineering Technology
better worse | |
| Most Popular | |
| Most Focused |
General Engineering Technology
better worse | |
| Most Popular | 13 of 71 |
| Most Focused | 21 of 71 |
English Language & Literature
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | 241 of 589 |
| Most Popular | 336 of 1354 |
| Most Focused | |
| Highest Paid Grads |
General English Literature
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | 213 of 607 |
| Most Popular | 268 of 1275 |
| Most Focused | |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Foreign Languages & Linguistics
better worse | |
| Most Popular | |
| Most Focused | |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Germanic Languages
better worse | |
| Most Popular | |
| Most Focused | |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Romance Languages
better worse | |
| Most Popular | |
| Most Focused | |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Health Professions
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | 280 of 577 |
| Best Value | 51 of 545 |
| Most Popular | 176 of 1720 |
| Most Focused | 765 of 1720 |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Allied Health Professions
better worse | |
| Most Popular | 46 of 672 |
| Most Focused | 215 of 672 |
Communication Sciences
better worse | |
| Most Popular | |
| Most Focused |
Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | |
| Most Popular | 50 of 122 |
| Most Focused | 55 of 122 |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Nursing
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | 144 of 481 |
| Most Popular | 201 of 1106 |
| Most Focused | |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Public Health
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | 40 of 94 |
| Most Popular | |
| Most Focused | |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Professions
better worse | |
| Most Popular | 38 of 191 |
| Most Focused | 67 of 191 |
History
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | 224 of 557 |
| Most Popular | 243 of 1251 |
| Most Focused | 563 of 1251 |
History
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | 230 of 581 |
| Most Popular | 243 of 1251 |
| Most Focused | 563 of 1251 |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | 114 of 368 |
| Most Popular | 99 of 1153 |
| Most Focused | 458 of 1152 |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Criminal Justice & Corrections
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | 108 of 373 |
| Most Popular | 86 of 1129 |
| Most Focused | 450 of 1128 |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities
better worse | |
| Most Popular | |
| Most Focused |
Liberal Arts General Studies
better worse | |
| Most Popular | |
| Most Focused |
Mathematics & Statistics
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | |
| Most Popular | 350 of 1238 |
| Most Focused | |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Mathematics
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | |
| Most Popular | 303 of 1190 |
| Most Focused | |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | |
| Most Popular | 485 of 1004 |
| Most Focused |
International Studies
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | |
| Most Popular | 91 of 248 |
| Most Focused | |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Natural Resources & Conservation
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | 20 of 47 |
| Most Popular | 133 of 708 |
| Most Focused | 253 of 708 |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Natural Resource Management
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | |
| Most Popular | 25 of 65 |
| Most Focused | 26 of 65 |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Natural Resources Conservation
better worse | |
| Most Popular | 206 of 650 |
| Most Focused |
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | 145 of 443 |
| Most Popular | 281 of 883 |
| Most Focused | |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Health & Physical Education
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | |
| Most Popular | |
| Most Focused | |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Recreation Administration
better worse | |
| Most Popular | |
| Most Focused |
Philosophy & Religious Studies
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | 114 of 253 |
| Most Popular | 223 of 944 |
| Most Focused | 434 of 944 |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Philosophy
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | 113 of 248 |
| Most Popular | 126 of 742 |
| Most Focused | 244 of 742 |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Physical Sciences
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | 166 of 443 |
| Most Popular | 240 of 1143 |
| Most Focused | 451 of 1143 |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Chemistry
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | 133 of 414 |
| Most Popular | 110 of 1084 |
| Most Focused | 235 of 1084 |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Geological & Earth Sciences
better worse | |
| Most Popular | |
| Most Focused | |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Psychology
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | 242 of 800 |
| Most Popular | 284 of 1490 |
| Most Focused | |
| Highest Paid Grads |
General Psychology
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | 212 of 805 |
| Most Popular | 267 of 1421 |
| Most Focused | |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Public Administration & Social Service
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | 190 of 392 |
| Best Value | 26 of 380 |
| Most Popular | 52 of 851 |
| Most Focused | 195 of 851 |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Public Administration
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | 15 of 48 |
| Most Popular | 22 of 143 |
| Most Focused | 27 of 143 |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Social Work
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | 89 of 344 |
| Most Popular | 70 of 572 |
| Most Focused | 200 of 572 |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Social Sciences
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | 215 of 656 |
| Most Popular | 435 of 1320 |
| Most Focused | |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Anthropology
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | 121 of 273 |
| Most Popular | 101 of 423 |
| Most Focused | 93 of 423 |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Political Science & Government
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | 211 of 586 |
| Most Popular | 461 of 1075 |
| Most Focused | |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Sociology
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | 179 of 532 |
| Most Popular | 291 of 969 |
| Most Focused | |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Visual & Performing Arts
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | 121 of 641 |
| Most Popular | 301 of 1565 |
| Most Focused | 716 of 1565 |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Design & Applied Arts
better worse | |
| Most Popular | |
| Most Focused | |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Drama & Theater Arts
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | 83 of 312 |
| Most Popular | 211 of 814 |
| Most Focused | 361 of 814 |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Fine & Studio Arts
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | 181 of 513 |
| Most Popular | 300 of 1123 |
| Most Focused | |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Music
better worse | |
| Top Ranked | |
| Best Value | 111 of 382 |
| Most Popular | 71 of 1035 |
| Most Focused | 205 of 1035 |
| Highest Paid Grads |
Men's Sports
better worse | |
| Men's Baseball (D1) | |
| Men's Basketball (D1) | |
| Men's Football (FCS) |
Women's Sports
better worse | |
| Women's Basketball (D1) | |
| Women's Soccer (D1) | |
| Women's Softball (D1) | |
| Women's Volleyball (D1) |
Veterans
better worse | |
| Overall | 312 of 1428 |
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans |
General Biology
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans | 409 of 822 |
Business, Management & Marketing
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans | 407 of 866 |
Accounting
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans |
Business Administration & Management
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans | 290 of 760 |
Entrepreneurial Studies
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans |
Finance & Financial Management
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans |
Hospitality Management
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans |
Management Information Systems
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans |
Marketing
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans |
Communication & Journalism
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans |
Communication & Media Studies
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans |
Computer & Information Sciences
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans |
Computer Science
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans |
Education
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans |
Special Education
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans |
Teacher Education Subject Specific
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans |
English Language & Literature
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans |
General English Literature
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans |
Health Professions
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans | 119 of 600 |
Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans |
Nursing
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans |
Public Health
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans |
History
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans |
History
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans |
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans |
Criminal Justice & Corrections
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans |
Mathematics & Statistics
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans |
Mathematics
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans |
Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans |
International Studies
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans |
Natural Resources & Conservation
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans |
Natural Resource Management
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans |
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans | 203 of 467 |
Health & Physical Education
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans |
Philosophy & Religious Studies
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans |
Philosophy
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans |
Physical Sciences
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans |
Chemistry
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans |
Psychology
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans | 401 of 864 |
General Psychology
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans | 365 of 870 |
Public Administration & Social Service
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans | 57 of 397 |
Public Administration
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans |
Social Work
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans | 163 of 357 |
Social Sciences
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans |
Anthropology
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans |
Political Science & Government
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans |
Sociology
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans |
Visual & Performing Arts
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans | 258 of 683 |
Drama & Theater Arts
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans | 112 of 324 |
Fine & Studio Arts
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans |
Music
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Veterans | 189 of 396 |
Non-Traditional Students
better worse | |
| Overall | 272 of 989 |
Business, Management & Marketing
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Online | |
| Most Popular Online | 232 of 724 |
Business Administration & Management
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Online | |
| Most Popular Online | 195 of 593 |
Marketing
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Online | |
| Most Popular Online | 48 of 133 |
Education
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Online | |
| Most Popular Online | 60 of 179 |
Teacher Education Grade Specific
better worse | |
| Most Popular Online | 41 of 126 |
Health Professions
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Online | 107 of 251 |
| Most Popular Online | 105 of 656 |
Allied Health Professions
better worse | |
| Most Popular Online | 11 of 65 |
Nursing
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Online | |
| Most Popular Online | 102 of 407 |
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Online | |
| Most Popular Online | 44 of 392 |
Criminal Justice & Corrections
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Online | |
| Most Popular Online | 39 of 360 |
Public Administration & Social Service
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Online | 11 of 30 |
| Most Popular Online | 35 of 141 |
Public Administration
better worse | |
| Top Ranked Online | |
| Most Popular Online | 7 of 45 |
International Quality
better worse | |
| OVERALL | |
| China | |
| France | |
| Jamaica | |
| Mexico | |
| Saudi Arabia |
International Value
better worse | |
| OVERALL | 305 of 1155 |
| China | 381 of 808 |
| France | 107 of 307 |
| Jamaica | 9 of 147 |
| Mexico | 149 of 325 |
| Saudi Arabia | 157 of 552 |
