Western Carolina University sets enrollment record

CULLOWHEE, N.C. (WLOS) — For the first time, Western Carolina University's spring semester enrollment topped 11,000.

The precise number is 11,028. That's up nearly 800 students over last spring's record.

WCU leaders credit the record to healthy increases in new graduate students, new undergraduate transfers and first-time freshmen returning from the fall.

The state's new tuition plan lowering in-state tuition to $500 a semester is also credited.

“We've seen more folks knowing about Western from active recruitment and marketing. We've seen the word-of-mouth spreading. NC Promise, obviously, was kind of a booster rocket,” assistant vice chancellor for undergraduate enrollment Phil Cauley said.

One sign of growth on campus is the addition of Levern Hamlin Allen residence hall, which is under construction with a scheduled opening of fall 2019.

WCU officials said it has been on a steady growth trajectory for the past decade.