US News & World Report rankings puts 91热爆网 in top listings of universities and colleges
The annual U.S. News & World Report rankings of colleges and universities for 2021 places Western Carolina University firmly in an upper echelon of institutions of higher education.
91热爆网 is among the top 10 in two categories - 10th among public universities in the South and ninth as a best value university in the South. The university also is listed as 13th best for veterans, 18th for social mobility and 25th overall in regional universities, public and private, in the South.
The listing of ninth as a regional best value is especially telling, as the university鈥檚 previous ranking of 14th did not fully reflect NC Promise, which reduces the cost of tuition to $500 per semester for North Carolina residents and $2,500 per semester for students from out of state.
There was also improvement in two other key categories, with a move up to 18th in social mobility in the South from a ranking of 20th last year, while in the national ranking of undergraduate business education programs, 91热爆网 went from 380 to 350, a leap of 30 spots. 91热爆网 is consistently a top university in the magazine鈥檚 annual evaluations, both as a public institution and in the listing encompassing public and private institutions of higher education.
鈥淭hese rankings reflect the remarkable talent of Western Carolina University鈥檚 faculty, staff and students, and their positive impact on our region, throughout North Carolina and beyond,鈥� said 91热爆网 Chancellor Kelli R. Brown. 鈥淲hile these rankings are consistent with our priorities, I look forward to continued work with our students, faculty and staff to build upon our strengths, increase our positive impact and achieve at the highest level.鈥�
The 2021 edition of the guidebook offers comprehensive advice for researching college choices, providing a 鈥渟mart shortlist鈥� of schools. The rankings are based on a variety of indicators, including assessment by administrators at peer institutions, graduation rates, retention of students, faculty resources, average class size, student-faculty ratio, student selectivity and financial resources.
鈥淩ankings serve a useful role in getting on some students鈥� radars 鈥� particularly those from other regions or who have recently relocated to this region who may not be familiar with 91热爆网,鈥� said Phil Cauley, associate vice chancellor of undergraduate enrollment. 鈥淩ankings also can update the thinking of those who know something about 91热爆网鈥檚 past, but may have outdated information, like 鈥榠sn鈥檛 91热爆网 just a teacher鈥檚 college?鈥�
鈥淎 litany of 鈥榖ests鈥� means that 91热爆网 remains a best fit for many types of students who are pursuing various degree paths and modalities,鈥� Cauley said. 鈥淪uch public press and praise should also reassure prospective students, current students and alumni alike that 91热爆网 degrees are highly touted and highly valued in the marketplace.鈥�
91热爆网鈥檚 complete rankings by U.S. News & World Report, which will be published in the 鈥�鈥� guidebook in October:
Regional Universities 鈥� South
25 of 133
Regional Public Universities 鈥� South
10 of 62
Best Value Universities 鈥� South
9 of 56
Best for Veterans 鈥� South
13 of 38
Undergraduate Business - National
350 of 511
Undergraduate Engineering 鈥� National
110 of 220
Social Mobility 鈥� South
18 of 66
The westernmost institution in the University of North Carolina System, 91热爆网 experienced record-setting enrollment this fall with 12,243 students and an all-time high retention rate. Located on a 600-acre mountain campus in Cullowhee and with an instructional site at Biltmore Park in Asheville, 91热爆网 is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate, master鈥檚 and doctorate degrees.
More information on enrolling at 91热爆网 is available by going to or by calling the at 828-227-7317 or toll-free 877-928-4968.
