Overview
The West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public school in the Philadelphia area and the largest institution in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. WCU is comprised of seven colleges including the College of Arts & Humanities, the largest school on campus. To provide opportunities to learn in a foreign culture, the WCU Center for International Programs organizes nearly 700 exchange and study abroad programs with partner institutions including Guizhou University in China. For sports fans, WCU fields 23 men’s and women’s athletic teams.
Acceptance Rate:
88%
Average Net Price:
$19,336
Campus Setting:
Suburb or town
Average GPA
3.5
Average ACT Composite
23
Average SAT Composite
1123
Tuition, Cost & Aid
Affordability & Cost
Tuition
| In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution. | $10,686 |
| Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school. | $22,511 |
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
| $12,474 |
| Books and Supplies | $1200 |
Average Net Price By Family Income
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]
Aid & Grants
0
100
48%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution. Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
25%
Average Aid Per Year
$5,443
25%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,102
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$2,584
Students receiving state aid Students receiving federal aid
22%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$3709
27%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,102
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$44,001,180
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$6,101,656
Student Loans
Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
66%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$9,427
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$19,500
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$229
Students receiving federal loans
64%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$5,354
Average Other Loans Per Year
$15,715
Admissions
Key Admissions Stats
Institution Type
Public
- Not for Profit
- Coed
Need Aware
This school may consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission
Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Suburb or town
14778
Students Applied
86%
Transfer Acceptance Rate
1081
Transfer Students Admitted
Admissions Requirements
SAT
No
ACT
No
Transcript
Yes
Test Optional
Yes
SAT Subject Tests
Yes
AP Course Credit
Yes
Dual Enrollment
Yes
Important Deadlines
| Application Type | Application Deadline | Reply Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Other | February 1 | May 1 |
Rolling Admissions
The college has rolling admissions, which means applications are accepted any time throughout the year.
Application Fee
$45
Fee waivers availableApplications Accepted
Admitted Student Stats
1%
Submitting ACT
23%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 23
Average SAT Composite: 1123
SAT Percentiles
Math
Reading
3.5
Average GPA
Students Enrolled By Class Rank
Students Enrolled By Household Income
Admissions Resources
For International Student Services: visit page
For Students with Disabilities: visit page
For Veteran Services: visit page
Academics
Key Academic Stats
Highest Degree Offered
Doctorate
Total Number of Students
17,275
Total Number of Undergrads
14,392
0
100
55%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
75%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
20:1
US National: 21:1Non Traditional Learning
- Online Classes
- Online Undergrad Degrees
- Summer Sessions
- Combined Institution Double Degree Programs
- Some Programs Requires Co-Op/Internship
Learning Options
- ROTC Army
- ROTC Air Force
- Study Abroad
- Honors Program
- Teacher Certification Offered
Classroom Sizes
Degrees and Majors
MAJORS
73
Faculty Overview
0
100
69%
Faculty With Terminal Degree US National: 36%
Gender
Ethnicity
Campus Life
Key Campus Stats
Student Gender
Residency
Size of Town
Suburb or town
US States Represented
36
Countries Represented
59
Ethnicity
Percent of First Generation Students
28%
Student Organizations
295
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups
Yes
On Campus Women's Center
Yes
Cultural Student Resource Groups
Yes
Housing
0
100
65%
Undergrads Living on Campus
On-campus living required of freshman
No
Disability Housing Available
Yes
0
100
41%
Freshman Living on Campus
Athletics
Divisional Sports Nickname
Golden Rams
School Colors
purple and gold
Varsity Athletics Association
NCAA
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference
Total Male Athletes
252
Total Female Athletes
318
Intramural Sports
11
Sports Club
7
Sports Team (Men)
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Football
- Golf
- Soccer
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Track and Field
Sports Team (Women)
- Basketball
- Cheerleading-Dance Team
- Cross Country
- Field Hockey
- Golf
- Gymnastics
- Lacrosse
- Rugby
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Track and Field
- Volleyball
West Chester University of Pennsylvania Athletics: visit page
Campus Safety
24-HR security patrol
Yes
Campus emergency phones
Yes
24-HR escort safety rides
Yes
Mobile campus emergency alert
Yes
After Graduation
Post Grad Stats
Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$51,200
Top 5 Cities
Philadelphia
New York
Allentown
Reading
Lancaster
Top 5 Employers
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
Vanguard
Penn Medicine, The University of Pennsylvania
QVC
JP Morgan Chase & Co.
Top 5 Sectors
Education
Business Development
Sales
Operations
Healthcare Services
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$19,500
Loan Default Rate
4%
National: 8%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$229
REVIEWS
Read What Students Are SayingThe classes are challenging but most of the teachers are pretty cool and make learning fun. Although they don't baby you like most high school teachers so you need to stay on top of your work. Get on the teachers good side by going to class and by going to office hours. Also, do all homework and extra credit... it really pays off in the end!
Amanda from Levittown, PA
West Chester is a great school. There are so many great professors who are willing to help if needed.Do your work and be careful not to get too caught up in parties and you'll do just fine. Get involved, have fun, live it up. There is so much to learn here!
Aliza from Fawn Grove, PA
There is a place for everyone at West Chester. It is a great location, a great price, and a great community. I honestly have never met anyone who doesn'Â?t love it here.
Jenna
West Chester is the absolute best choice for anyone who is looking for a place to grow academically and socially. The campus is the perfect size: small enough to not get lost, but big enough for plenty of places to meet up with friends. The students and faculty are all incredibly supportive of one another, creating an accepting and judgement-free environment. Go Rams!
Kiera from Hatfield, PA
west chester university will forever hold a place in my heart. the beautiful wcu campus is within walking distance of downtown west chester, with plenty of food options and entertainment for all ages. i am proud of my alma mater and will always strongly recommend it as an academic path for potential prospective students.
nicholas from west chester, pa
It really is a great place to spend your college years. It is full of staff and faculty who truly care about their students. Being an out of state student, I am truly grateful to be a student here at West Chester.
Michelle from Hazlet, NJ
West Chester University is an interesting blend of the urban and suburban. The school while in the shadow of the Philadelphia metropolitan area stands alone as its own entity and treats the community as such. The school has a somewhat diverse yet separate student body that leaves many satisfied and many not sure how to feel.
Eric from Mechanicsburg, PA
My favorite aspect of West Chester University of PA is the quiet, quaint college community. You're just minutes away from Philadelphia, Delaware and Maryland in one direction, and farm country in the other, with attractions like King of Prussia Mall and Longwood Gardens virtually around the corner. The peace and tranquility of this college town has a lot to offer the individually both mentally and physically.
William from Philadelphia, PA
West Chester is a very well-rounded university with so much to offer at such a reasonable price. It is a great place to discover new interests and follow your passions. Everyone attending this university is united and proud to be a Golden Ram!
Nicole from Pottstown, PA
The classes are sort of challenging but they have taught me how to become better organized, and how to succeed better as a student. I have only had experience with general education requirements so far so I cannot say that I have learned much for my major yet.
Anne from Havertown, PA
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