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Warren Wilson College

Swannanoa, NC·Private·https://www.warren-wilson.edu/

Campus Identity

NCAA D3Graduate Programs

Warren Wilson College is a small private nonprofit university in Swannanoa, NC. Approximately 707 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 71% acceptance rate. Lake James is about 26 miles from campus. Ski resorts are within 48 miles of campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 54/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

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At a Glance

Warren Wilson College is a small private nonprofit university in Swannanoa, NC. Approximately 707 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 71% acceptance rate. Lake James is about 26 miles from campus. Ski resorts are within 48 miles of campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 54/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

71%
Acceptance Rate
1,361 applications
29
ACT Score (50th %ile)
Range: 25–29
$41,500
2024-25 Tuition
$21,249
Avg Net Price
What students actually pay
$13,050
Room & Board
19 meals/week
707
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
18%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
42%
Graduation Rate
Within 150% of normal time
Selectivity71% · Open
Highly SelectiveOpen

Campus Lifestyle

Warren Wilson College is a under 1,000, rural school with NCAA D3 athletics. The campus is 16 miles from Wolf Ridge Ski Resort.

Athletics

NCAA D3

Coast-To-Coast Athletic

School Size & Setting

Under 1,000

Rural setting

Ski Access

16 miles

Wolf Ridge Ski Resort

Weather

Warm Climate

46°F avg school-year

Nearby Ski Resorts

Warren Wilson College students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Wolf Ridge Ski Resort, 16 miles away with 4 lifts and 65 skiable acres. All are within 48 miles of campus.

Wolf Ridge Ski Resort

North Carolina

16 mi away
65 skiable acres4 lifts
Cataloochee Ski Area

North Carolina

36 mi away
50 skiable acres5 lifts
Sugar Mountain Resort

North Carolina

48 mi away
125 skiable acres8 lifts

Nearby Lake

Lake James is 26 miles from campus, giving Warren Wilson College students access to boating, swimming, and waterfront recreation.

Lake James

Lake access within 26.0 miles

26 mi away

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Swannanoa, NC

Swannanoa has a cool climate, with winters averaging 33°F in Jan and summers peaking around 68°F in Jul.

33°Jan36°Feb42°Mar52°Apr60°May65°Jun68°Jul67°Aug62°Sep53°Oct43°Nov36°Dec

Station: SWANNANOA 2 SSE · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

Warren Wilson College in NC earns a composite safety score of 54/100, rated Less Safe among U.S. colleges.

54/100
Less Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety3710028
37/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
100/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
28/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.

Tuition
$41,500
Fees
$950
Room & Board
$13,050
Total
$55,500
Meal Plan: 19 meals/week
$21,249avg net price / year

What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Calculate your personalized net price

Fields of Study

29 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing StudiesMaster's
29 grads/yr$65,232
Psychology, GeneralBachelor's
15 grads/yr
Visual and Performing Arts, GeneralBachelor's
14 grads/yr
Natural Resources Conservation and ResearchBachelor's
13 grads/yr$43,793
Fine and Studio ArtsMaster's
13 grads/yr

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
Master's29 grads$65,232
Natural Resources Conservation and Research
Bachelor's13 grads$43,793
Psychology, General
Bachelor's15 grads
Visual and Performing Arts, General
Bachelor's14 grads
Fine and Studio Arts
Master's13 grads
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
Bachelor's12 grads
Social Work
Bachelor's11 grads
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology
Bachelor's8 grads
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Bachelor's8 grads
History
Bachelor's7 grads

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Warren Wilson College located?

Warren Wilson College is located in Swannanoa, NC. The main campus address is 701 Warren Wilson Rd, Swannanoa, NC. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at Warren Wilson College?

Warren Wilson College has an acceptance rate of 71%, making it moderately selective. Out of 1,361 applicants, 971 were admitted in the most recent year. 707 students enrolled.

What ACT score do you need for Warren Wilson College?

The middle 50% of enrolled students at Warren Wilson College scored between 25 and 29 on the ACT, with a median of 29. About 6% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.

How much does it cost to attend Warren Wilson College?

For the 2024-25 academic year, Warren Wilson College charges $41,500/year in tuition. Including room and board ($13,050/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $38,450/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $21,249/year — what students actually pay. Use Warren Wilson College's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

Does Warren Wilson College have college sports?

Yes — Warren Wilson College competes at the NCAA D3 level in the Coast-To-Coast Athletic. Division III programs emphasize academic achievement alongside athletic competition, without athletic scholarships.

Is Warren Wilson College the right fit for me?

Whether Warren Wilson College is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (71% admit rate), avg net price ($21,249/year after aid), campus culture in Swannanoa, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Warren Wilson College against similar schools side-by-side.

Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Warren Wilson College directly for the most current information.

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Quick Facts

Type
Private
Location
Swannanoa, NC
Size
Under 1,000
Degrees Offered
Bachelor's, Master's
NCAA
NCAA D3
Conference
Coast-To-Coast Athletic
School Year Weather
Warm · 46°F avg
On Campus Safety Score
54/100
Nearest Airport
Asheville, NC (AVL) · 13 mialso GSP (51 mi), GMU (53 mi)

Location

Swannanoa, NC

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.