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Which Western NC college has the highest acceptance rate? Here are the rankings
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The 2025 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s college rankings is coming Sept. 24, including over 25 articles explaining the methodologies the organization uses to make its yearly rankings.
Apart from lists of rankings for colleges across the nation, U.S. News also provides statistics such as schools where students graduate with the most or least debt, campuses with ethnic diversity, schools with the highest four-year graduation rates and more.
Ahead of the release from this often-referenced source, here’s what current listings for universities in Western North Carolina say on some of the most researched factors: acceptance rate and tuition.
More: These 3 Western NC colleges are included in Princeton Review’s best 390 for 2025
Which Western NC college has the highest acceptance rate?
Many of the largest colleges in WNC have acceptance rates that are significantly higher than the national average – 71.4%, according to U.S. News & World Report. According to the same source, Western Carolina University has the highest acceptance rate of the public colleges on our list at 85%.
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UNCA acceptance rate
Acceptance rate: 74%
In-state tuition and fees: $7,461
Out-of-state tuition and fees: $24,809
Room and board: $11,018
U.S. News 2024 overall score out of 100: 55
U.S. News ranked UNCA No. 139 out of 211 National Liberal Arts Colleges in 2024.
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Appalachian State University acceptance rate
Acceptance rate: 83%
In-state tuition and fees: $8,081
Out-of-state tuition and fees: $25,077
Room and board: $12,258
U.S. News 2024 overall score out of 100: 91
U.S. News rated Appalachian State University No. 3 out of 136 Regional Universities South in 2024.
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Western Carolina University acceptance rate
Acceptance rate: 85%
In-state tuition and fees: $4,532
Out-of-state tuition and fees: $8,532
Room and board: $11,545
U.S. News 2024 overall score out of 100: 48
U.S. News ranked Western Carolina University No. 227 out of 439 National Universities in 2024.
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Warren Wilson College acceptance rate
Acceptance rate: 84%
Tuition and fees: $40,290
Room and board: $12,610
U.S. News 2024 overall score out of 100: Bottom 25%
U.S. News ranked Warren Wilson College No. 186-204 out of 211 National Liberal Arts Colleges un 2024.
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Montreat College acceptance rate
Acceptance rate: 90%
Tuition and fees: $30,810
Room and board: $10,670
U.S. News 2024 overall score out of 100: 42
U.S. News ranked Montreat College No. 72 out of 132 Regional Colleges South in 2024.
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Brevard College
Acceptance rate: 40%
Tuition and fees: $31,250
Room and board: $13,400
U.S. News 2024 overall score out of 100: 63
Brevard College is ranked #33 out of 132 Regional Colleges South in 2024.
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Mars Hill University
Acceptance rate: 74%
Tuition and fees: $37,270
Room and board: $10,228
U.S. News 2024 overall score out of 100: 69
Mars Hill University is ranked #20 out of 132 Regional Colleges South in 2024.
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Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.
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