Colleges by Location
Colleges by Fields of Study
Colleges by Tuition Range
Colleges by GPA Range
College by SAT Range
Colleges by ACT Score
Graduate Schools by Location
Graduate Schools by Fields of Study
Graduate School by Degree Type
Paying for Graduate School
Online Graduate Programs
Test Preparation
Career Planning
College Planning
Graduate School Planning
Applying to Graduate School
- More
West Chester , PA
West Chester University of Pennsylvania, commonly known as West Chester or WCU, is a public university located in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Established in 1871, it is one of the 14 universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). WCU offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs in various fields of study, including arts and sciences, business and public affairs, education and social work, health sciences, and more.
Known for its focus on providing a quality education, West Chester University has been consistently recognized as one of the top regional universities in the North by U.S. News & World Report. The university prides itself on its diverse student body, with students from all 67 counties in Pennsylvania, as well as from across the United States and around the world. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 19:1, students at WCU receive personalized attention and have ample opportunities for collaborative learning and mentorship.
Aside from its academic programs, West Chester University offers a vibrant campus life. Students can participate in over 200 clubs and organizations, including Greek life, cultural clubs, academic clubs, and more. The university also hosts numerous events, concerts, and performances throughout the year, providing students with a well-rounded college experience. Additionally, WCU boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including modern classrooms, research labs, and recreational amenities, ensuring students have access to top-notch resources for their education and personal growth.
West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public university located in West Chester, PA and set in a suburban environment. This academic institution uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 78%. The freshman retention rate at West Chester University of Pennsylvania is 83% and the six-year graduation rate is 71%.
Explore this school's profile to find out all the essential things about West Chester University of Pennsylvania.
Quick Facts
14,449
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
20:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
71%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you discover as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission, your chances of getting accepted will greatly increase. Check out some important information about admission policy and requirements at West Chester University of Pennsylvania.
According to the most recent data, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 13,479 in 2025. West Chester University of Pennsylvania has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores for the applicants who choose to submit them. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
Out of the number of those who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 14% and ACT scores 1%. 4.11% of the first-year students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 41.06% between 1,200 and 1,399, 51.21% between 1,000 and 1,199, 2.9% of the students between 800 and 999, and 0.72% of the students between 600 and 799. The percent of incoming freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 17.86, 60.71 between 24-29, 17.86 in the range between 18-23, and 3.57 between 12-17.
The average ACT score for all the enrolled students in 2025 was 26 and the average GPA was 3.4. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into West Chester University of Pennsylvania; the same goes for your ACT score.
The SAT Critical Reading average score was 605 for the accepted students, while the average SAT Math score was 579.
Retention Rate
The student retention rate is the percentage of students who re-enroll from one year to the next. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for West Chester University of Pennsylvania was 83%, a clear indication of the excellence and value of the educational experience at this school.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. This rate shows how many students complete their degrees in a certain number of years. At this school, the rate of students graduating within six years is 71%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Figuring out which school is the right fit for you is not a task you should take lightly. You can better comprehend the culture and life of the school by finding out more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at West Chester University of Pennsylvania in 2025 was 17,171.
That year, the school had 10.4% of out-of-state students. There was a total of 14,449 undergrad students, including 37 international students. The number of transfer students at this school was 1,044.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 5,709 male and 8,328 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
In order to promote a sense of inclusion and belonging among its students, higher education is dedicated to increasing student diversity. An inclusive student body brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at West Chester University of Pennsylvania.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 411, while the number of African American students was 1,473. 1,159 students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 547 as multirace. The school also had 2 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 12 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 155 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to think about before applying to any college or university. Here are some data on the expenses that most students at this school have.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition price for this university.
For local residents, public county and municipal institutions reported that tuition costs were $7,716. Tuition fees were $19,290 for students coming from a different state. For the students coming from abroad, tuition at this school was $19,290, as well. Fees per academic year required of full-time students amounted to $3,060 in 2025.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $19,290 | $3,060 | $22,350 |
| In-State | $7,716 | $3,060 | $10,776 |
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to take into account the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $1,200.
Boarding
Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. How much do room and board fees average around at colleges and universities?
The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at West Chester University of Pennsylvania was $12,474 in 2025. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school amounted to $8,624, according to the data from 2025.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 7,716 |
| Room and Board | $ 12,474 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,200 |
| Total Expense | $ 21,390 |
Financial Aid
Be it a grant, loan, scholarship, or work-study program, any type of financial help can be a great deal for a number of students. Check out some recent data to get the info about need-based and non-need-based aid students could get at West Chester University of Pennsylvania.
The most recent records show that 1,633 freshmen received some sort of financial help. Students of this school received an average of $11,913 in financial help.
Need-based
Need-based aid is financial aid that a student can receive if they are determened to have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria.
5,574 students acquired some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at West Chester University of Pennsylvania is available to international students. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need ended up being 6,863. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution came to $19,672,566, and state $12,174,164. The students of West Chester University of Pennsylvania received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $8,974,332, and external in the amount of $3,180,117.
$2,168
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
2,719 students, including freshmen, were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this institution in 2025. 792 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $19,672,566 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $6,945. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $4,273,895. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $1,592,145 USD.
Open Applications
Find open programs by choosing your preferred academic interest from the list below, and select your desired term start. Get started with your application process and find more information using the Apply button.
Majors
Faculty
20:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio represents the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at West Chester University of Pennsylvania was 20:1: that means 20 students per one teacher. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 956. This number included 412 men and 544 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at West Chester University of Pennsylvania.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Find out some information about campus life at West Chester University of Pennsylvania.
Its campus spans 409 acres.
Student Organizations
A student organization is run by students at a university or a college institution, whose membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.
The number of student organizations and groups with open membership at this school is 312. This number includes sororities and fraternities. The percentage of male students who are members of organizations is 13 and female students 14. The student organization with the highest level of popularity is L.E.A.D., followed by Sports Club Council and Fraternal Programming Board. Other popular student organizations at this school are Student Activities Council and Student Government Association.
Those interested in music can join the West Chester University of Pennsylvania band or chorus. For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. Interested in media and communication? West Chester University of Pennsylvania publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
West Chester University of Pennsylvania provides a number of services necessary for a pleasant and safe life on campus.
There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. The dormitory entrances at the school are electronically controlled. There is a security patrol that operates around the clock. The after-hours transportation/escort service is available.
There is a medical clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services, Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of West Chester University of Pennsylvania.
All in all, campus life at West Chester University of Pennsylvania is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at West Chester University of Pennsylvania.
Career Counselling
At West Chester University of Pennsylvania, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a job bank and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be highly beneficial for your future career.
FAQ
-
West Chester University of Pennsylvania is located in West Chester, PA.
-
West Chester University of Pennsylvania offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
-
This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
-
According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for West Chester University of Pennsylvania is 78%.
-
The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for West Chester University of Pennsylvania is 83%.
Contact Information
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
700 S. High Street
West Chester , PA
19383
610 436-1000
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
Find the best schools for you.
Need help with choosing grad school? We got you.
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
