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Cullowhee, NC · Biology

Biology at Western Carolina

Western Carolina graduates about 85 biology majors a year, 3% of its graduating class. That puts it 628th of 692 schools we score for biology, a light program at 30 out of 100. Its current catalog lists 69 undergraduate courses in the field, more than 55% of the schools we've counted. Graduates in the major earn a median $50,000 four years out, below the national figure for the same major (0.88×).

30/100Light#628 of 692 for biology →
Graduates a year853% of the class
Courses in the catalog69more than 55% of schools
Median pay 4 years out$50,0000.88× the same major nationally
Research in the field$353Ka year, NSF
Admit rate85%whole school
SAT middle 50%1020–1240whole school

Around Western Carolina

Built in 2018-2021, this Contemporary building was designed by Lord Aeck Sargent
Apodaca Science Building, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC - 534200182Photo: w_lemay · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Built in 2018-2021, this Contemporary building was designed by Lord Aeck Sargent
Apodaca Science Building, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC - 534212559Photo: w_lemay · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Built in 2018-2021, this Contemporary building was designed by Lord Aeck Sargent
Apodaca Science Building, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC - 534213574Photo: w_lemay · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Built in 2018-2021, this Contemporary building was designed by Lord Aeck Sargent
Apodaca Science Building, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC - 534213454Photo: w_lemay · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source

Where biology happens

Buildings on campus that fit the field: Bird Building – Health Services, Stillwell Building – Arts and Sciences, Tom Apodaca Science Building.

Named buildings on the campus map: Dorm 30 · Academic 28 · Athletics 8 · Library 2 · Dining 2 · Offices 1.

Open the full-screen campus map →

Nearby in the biology ranking

  1. University of Wisconsin–Platteville 31
  2. Claflin University 31
  3. California State University–Los Angeles 30
  4. Southeast Missouri State University 30
  5. Tarleton State University 30
  6. University of Central Missouri 30
  7. Rhode Island College 30
  8. Lindenwood University 30

Other strong majors at Western Carolina

How the score works

The score is out of 100 and compares Western Carolina with every school we score in biology. It weighs the school's overall strength; how many students graduate in the major and what share of the class they are; research spending in the field (NSF); early pay against the same major nationally; how many courses the catalog lists; and test scores. 80+ is a standout program, 65+ strong, 45+ solid. Sources: US Department of Education (College Scorecard, IPEDS), NSF HERD, each school's current course catalog, OpenStreetMap and Wikimedia Commons.

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