About Western Carolina (2024)

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About Western Carolina

As the westernmost institution in the University of North Carolina System, WCU attracts students from around the globe for its nationally ranked programs, affordability through NC Promise and exceptional student support. Recognized as a top adventure college and surrounded by the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains, students can explore the region's vast natural diversity through unrivaled experiential learning and recreational activities. Offering residential, hybrid and online programs for undergraduate and graduate degrees at our main campus in Cullowhee, WCU in Asheville located at Biltmore Park, and wherever students are through distance learning.

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Locations

Western Carolina University’s main campus is located in Cullowhee, NC, just over 50 miles west of Asheville. Our instructional site in Asheville is located at Biltmore Park Towne Square. Students can study online, on their time, through asynchronous learning.

Main Campus, Cullowhee Our 600-acre mountain campus is surrounded by one of the most biodiverse regions in the state that provides students unparalleled learning and adventure opportunities. WCU in Asheville Offering part-time undergraduate programs in nursing and engineering for working professionals as well as graduate programs in business administration, accounting, school administration and more. Distance and Online Discover degrees for in-demand fields with top-ranked online programs. Our learning communities bring accomplished students together with professors dedicated to their success.

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Degree Programs Distance and Online Programs Explore Western North Carolina Graduate School Life on Campus Professional Development Courses Research at WCU Student Success Resources Visit and Explore WCU

Our Mission, Vision, and Values

Our Mission

As Western North Carolina's regional comprehensive university, Western Carolina University is dedicated to academic excellence, affordability, and access. WCU inspires student learning through innovative teaching, nationally recognized programs, exceptional support, and a robust connectedness with surrounding communities in Southern Appalachia, including the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Through a broad range of scholarly activities, our faculty and students seek to better understand our region, state, nation, and world. With an emphasis on engaging students both inside and outside the classroom, WCU's bachelor's, master's, and professional doctoral programs in Cullowhee, Asheville, and online aim to improve lives and promote economic prosperity throughout Western North Carolina and beyond.

Our Vision

Western Carolina University will be a national model for public comprehensive universities serving rural regions and an innovative driver for the social and economic mobility of its students. WCU will break barriers to student access and opportunity, and leverage the expertise of its faculty, staff, and students in confronting the complex health, educational, social, and economic challenges in its region and state.

Our Core Values

Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship
Collaboration with and Respect for our Communities
Free and Open Interchange of Ideas
Diversity and Inclusive Excellence
Robust and Engaging Student Experience
Investment in our People
Environmental Stewardship

A Legacy of Leading Education

Western Carolina University has deep roots in the western North Carolina region and rich history of education, spanning over 100 years. From small rural teaching, college into a global university with over 12,000 students, discover the history of WCU.

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WCU Stories

Explore WCU and the supportive community you'll find here whether you're an undergraduate student studying at our main campus in Cullowhee, a graduate student at our instructional site in Asheville or online in one of our many distance programs.

Plans underway for College of Business travel course to China in summer 2025The fall semester may have just begun, but that hasn’t stopped two faculty members in the College of Business from turning some of their attention toward next summer when they will team-teach a travel course in China.

Students, faculty visit Technical University of Sofia through Erasmus+ grantWCU faculty and students recently had the opportunity to visit Technical University of Sofia in Bulgaria through an Erasmus+ grant.

School of Nursing receives UNC System grantWCU submitted a detailed proposal outlining the needs and plans for its nursing program, which resulted in the award of $2,474,700 to expand and enhance its Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.

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