Western Carolina University Rankings by Salary Score™
Bachelor's
Master's
Salary and Debt by Major at Western Carolina University
We calculated a Salary Score for each of Western Carolina University's programs by comparing program-specific median alumni earnings to median alumni earnings for the same program across all schools that provide this data. This way, students can compare the relative salary strength of a specific major at Western Carolina University to the same major at other schools. A school's overall score by level is based on the school's by-program performance weighted by student enrollment in each program. Data is sourced from the December 2020 release of the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and reflects median alumni debt upon graduation and median alumni earnings in the year after graduation for students who received federal financial aid. Debt and salary numbers are shown rounded to the nearest $10.
Salary Score ™ for WCU Bachelor's Degrees
| Field of Study | Employment Rate | Median Debt | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | $19,090 | $39,150 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $23,690 | $49,920 | |
| Anthropology | $23,250 | $27,310 | |
| Biology, General | $21,500 | $24,730 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $19,890 | $33,490 | |
| Chemistry | $27,000 | $32,570 | |
| Communication and Media Studies | $24,250 | $27,750 | |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $26,380 | $16,660 | |
| Computer Science | Not Reported | $50,860 | |
| Construction Engineering Technologies | $27,000 | $55,060 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $21,500 | $35,890 | |
| Design and Applied Arts | Not Reported | $32,170 | |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | $25,500 | $16,480 | |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $22,500 | $22,190 | |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $27,500 | $55,040 | |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | Not Reported | $63,600 | |
| Engineering Technology, General | $22,500 | $57,770 | |
| English Language and Literature, General | $18,750 | $26,590 | |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $21,500 | $38,290 | |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $23,030 | $26,350 | |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $26,940 | $31,420 | |
| History | $25,610 | $25,970 | |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $21,510 | $30,190 | |
| International/Global Studies | Not Reported | $25,190 | |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $24,800 | $43,240 | |
| Marketing | $23,500 | $36,020 | |
| Mathematics | Not Reported | $31,850 | |
| Music | $30,750 | $31,530 | |
| Natural Resources Management and Policy | $17,750 | $33,280 | |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management | $23,250 | $26,930 | |
| Political Science and Government | $25,500 | $24,730 | |
| Psychology, General | $23,340 | $24,350 | |
| Public Administration | $12,500 | $58,220 | |
| Public Health | $25,500 | $38,290 | |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $25,000 | $23,350 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $16,390 | $57,710 | |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | $24,850 | $29,690 | |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | Not Reported | $19,050 | |
| Security Science and Technology | Not Reported | $40,070 | |
| Social Work | $23,950 | $29,880 | |
| Sociology | $23,250 | $26,120 | |
| Special Education and Teaching | Not Reported | $36,490 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $24,000 | $35,400 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $27,000 | $37,570 |
Salary Score ™ for WCU Master's Degrees
| Field of Study | Employment Rate | Median Debt | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | $20,500 | $54,520 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $30,190 | $68,080 | |
| Chemistry | Not Reported | $42,240 | |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $39,540 | $48,430 | |
| Construction Engineering Technologies | Not Reported | $76,460 | |
| Education, General | $20,760 | $40,600 | |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | $13,500 | $54,300 | |
| English Language and Literature, General | Not Reported | $32,710 | |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $28,750 | $45,920 | |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $23,020 | $56,640 | |
| Public Administration | Not Reported | $42,240 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $30,020 | $99,140 | |
| Social Work | $34,140 | $41,840 | |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services | $40,530 | $39,490 |
Salary Score ™ for WCU Doctoral Degrees
| Field of Study | Employment Rate | Median Debt | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Administration and Supervision | Not Reported | $80,960 | |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | $48,420 | $63,010 |
Most Recent Reviews
Western is a great school for engineering in my opinion. The issues I have with the college are the decisions it has made. In 2023 WCU accepted 500+ incoming students in the fall semester. All dining options on campus are a 30+ minute wait, and most of the time they are run out of half the items on the menu. Being a busy student with 17 credit hours, eating during the day is almost impossible under these conditions. I do not encourage coming to this school, for my sake and yours. And if anyone from WCU sees... Read More
Western Carolina University is a great institution for higher learning that is located in the beautiful mountain of Western North Carolina. Western Carolina University is a welcoming University where the faculty take pride and interest in their students success. While Western Carolina University is wonderful institution for learning, it is also fortunate enough to be located in an ideal location for outdoor enthusiasts. Western Carolina University has the Blue Ridge Mountains as a backdrop that offers amazing... Read More