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West Chester University of Pennsylvania
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 educational institution operates on a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 79%. The freshman retention rate at West Chester University of Pennsylvania is 84% and the six-year graduation rate is 70%.
Read more about what West Chester University of Pennsylvania has to offer based on the most recent data this institution has reported.
Quick Facts
14,344
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
79%
Acceptance Rate
20:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
70%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you find out as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission, your chances of getting accepted will greatly increase. Here are the most vital data you need to know about admission at West Chester University of Pennsylvania.
According to the most recent data, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 13,042 in 2024. West Chester University of Pennsylvania has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores if the applicant chooses to submit them. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is relatively easy 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 16% and ACT scores 1%. 4% of the first-year students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 41% between 1,200 and 1,399, 52% between 1,000 and 1,199, and 3.34% of the students between 800 and 999. The percent of new students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 11, 68 between 24-29, 21 in the range between 18-23, and 2 between 12-17.
The ACT composite average score for all the admitted students in 2024 was 26 while the average GPA was 3.5. 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 new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 594 and an average SAT Math score of 577.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is the percentage of college or university newcomers who return for their sophomore year. That information can tell you if the majority of freshmen liked their first year enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for West Chester University of Pennsylvania was 84% in 2024, a reflection of the high standards and excellent educational experience at this school.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year graduation rate at this institution stands at 70%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is always challenging to figure out which school is best for you. Having a better insight into a school's student body helps you learn more about its culture and life.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at West Chester University of Pennsylvania in 2024 was 17,076.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 10.2% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 14,344, 33 of which were international students. The number of transfer students at this school was 1,081.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 5,534 male and 8,284 female full-time students in 2024. There were 289 full-time graduate male and 704 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
When it comes to improving a sense of inclusion and belonging among students, there is no denying the importance of student diversity. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at West Chester University of Pennsylvania.
This school had 449 Asian students and 1,486 Afro-American students in 2024. 1,073 undergraduates at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 506 as multirace. The school also had 1 student who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 10 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 117 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Financial planning for school is one of the most important things to consider before you apply. Here are some details you should know about the expenses at West Chester University of Pennsylvania that the majority of students face.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about West Chester University of Pennsylvania estimated tuition costs.
According to the reports from public county and municipal institutions, tuition fees were $7,716 for area residents. For students who don't live in the state in which the university is located, the tuition was $19,290 in 2024. For the students coming from abroad, tuition at this school was $19,290, as well. Fees per academic year required of full-time students totaled $2,971 in 2024.
| Tuition | Fees | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $19,290 | $2,971 | $22,261 |
| In-State | $7,716 | $2,971 | $10,687 |
Books and Supplies
Another important expense to consider is the approximate price of books and supplies for a college or university. The estimated price of books and supplies for a full-time student of this school is $1,200.
Boarding
Besides tuition, another cost to consider is the price of housing in the dorms and eating at the school cafeteria. How much do room and board fees average around at schools?
At West Chester University of Pennsylvania, the 2024 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $12,474. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2024 stood at $8,624 for one academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $13,274.
| Tuition | $ 7,716 |
| Room and Board | $ 12,474 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,200 |
| Total Expense | $ 21,390 |
Financial Aid
Obtaining some financial aid in forms of grants, loans, scholarships or work-study programs can be vital for finishing your studies. If you want to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at West Chester University of Pennsylvania, here are some recent data you should take into consideration.
According to the most recent data, 1,798 freshmen were awarded financial aid. The average financial aid package awarded to students amounted to $10,406.5.
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.
There were 4,980 students who acquired need-based financial aid of any kind. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at West Chester University of Pennsylvania is available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was 6,855. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution added up 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.
$2,022
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 2,602 students overall (including freshmen) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania in 2024. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 925 full-time freshmen. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $19,672,566 while the state aid is $6,945. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need 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. $1,592,145 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
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 ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
In 2024, this ratio at West Chester University of Pennsylvania was 20:1. That means that there were 20 times more students than teachers at this school. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 1,002. Out of that number, there were 419 men and 529 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at West Chester University of Pennsylvania.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at West Chester University of Pennsylvania is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Find out some details about students' life at West Chester University of Pennsylvania.
Its campus is 409 acres in size.
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.
This school has 295 open-membership student organizations you can participate in. Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. At this school, 14.4% of male students are members of social organizations, while that percentage is 12.9 for female students. The student organization that is most favored by students 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.
Students who like music can join the West Chester University of Pennsylvania band or chorus. If the world of acting appeals to you, there is a drama club you can join. 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 offers a number of services needed for a pleasant and secure life on campus.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a security patrol that operates around the clock. The transport/escort service operates during late hours.
There is a health 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. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be excellent for your future career.
FAQ
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West Chester University of Pennsylvania is located in West Chester, PA.
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West Chester University of Pennsylvania offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for West Chester University of Pennsylvania is 79%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for West Chester University of Pennsylvania is 84%.
Contact Information
West Chester University of Pennsylvania,
700 South 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.
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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.