West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About West Chester University of Pennsylvania
Set in a historic, walkable borough outside Philadelphia, West Chester University pairs a classic quad with updated labs, studios, and recital spaces. It's known for strengths in teacher preparation, health and life sciences, business and public service, and the arts. Students find hands‑on learning in modern classrooms, plus libraries, tutoring, advising, counseling, and tech support that actually gets used.
Campus life stays active: clubs that span service, media, and competitive gaming, frequent student performances, and a busy recreation center where pickup games run late. The culture feels welcoming and practical, with plenty of Golden Rams pride. Career prep leans on internships across the greater Philadelphia region and alumni connections that help with first steps. The borough offers coffee shops, local restaurants, and real weekend energy, with nearby parks when you need space. Traditions gather around Homecoming and ram spirit. Notable alum: Geno Auriemma.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) offers 102 degree programs across 24 major academic fields, graduating approximately 4,409 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Business (10 programs, 1,156 graduates), Education (23 programs, 654 graduates), Health (15 programs, 607 graduates), Psychology (3 programs, 333 graduates) and Public Services (3 programs, 230 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Business (10 programs, 1,156 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 470 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.0201 |
| Sales and Marketing Operations | 240 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1801 |
| Finance, General | 176 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0801 |
| Accounting | 99 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0301 |
| Human Resources Management | 77 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
52.1001 |
| Business Economics | 64 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0601 |
| International Business and Trade | 15 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1101 |
| Logistics and Supply Chain Management | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0203 |
| Real Estate | 5 |
|
Other Award
|
52.1501 |
| Nonprofit and Organizational Management | 1 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
52.0206 |
Education (23 programs, 654 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
Health (15 programs, 607 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | 219 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
51.3801 |
| Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology | 115 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
51.0204 |
| Public Health | 67 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
51.2201 |
| Dietetics | 63 |
|
Bachelor's
Post-Master's
|
51.3101 |
| Athletic Training | 55 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
51.0913 |
| Physician Assistant | 25 |
|
Master's
|
51.0912 |
| Mental Health Counseling | 19 |
|
Master's
|
51.1508 |
| Environmental Health | 10 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.2202 |
| Nursing Practice | 9 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
51.3818 |
| Pharmaceutics and Drug Design | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.2003 |
| Health Administration and Management | 6 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
51.0701 |
| Pre-Medicine | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.1102 |
| Music Therapy | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.2305 |
| Mind-Body Therapies and Education | 2 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
51.3699 |
| Therapeutic Recreation | 1 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
51.2309 |
Psychology (3 programs, 333 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Psychology | 315 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
42.0101 |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychology | 12 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
42.2804 |
| Clinical Psychology | 6 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
42.2801 |
Public Services (3 programs, 230 graduates)
Public Administration, Social Work and Community Services
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social Work | 177 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
44.0701 |
| Public Administration | 48 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
44.0401 |
| Education Policy Analysis | 5 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
44.0502 |
Kinesiology (3 programs, 187 graduates)
Exercise Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Recreation
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education | 172 |
|
Bachelor's
|
31.0501 |
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology | 8 |
|
Master's
|
31.0505 |
| Sport and Fitness Management | 7 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
31.0504 |
Security & Safety (1 programs, 162 graduates)
Emergency Management, Law Enforcement and Public Safety
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Safety Studies | 162 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
43.0104 |
English (2 programs, 147 graduates)
English Literature, Creative Writing and Literary Analysis
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rhetoric and Composition | 90 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
23.1304 |
| English Language and Literature | 57 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
23.0101 |
Biological Sciences (2 programs, 145 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 137 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
26.0101 |
| Biochemistry | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0202 |
Arts (9 programs, 134 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Music | 57 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0901 |
| Art Studies | 35 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0701 |
| Music Theory and Composition | 12 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0904 |
| Theatre Arts | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0501 |
| Music Performance | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0903 |
| Stringed Instruments | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0911 |
| Keyboard Instruments | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0907 |
| Music History, Literature, and Theory | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0902 |
| Jazz Studies | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0910 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU).
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU)
How much does it cost to attend West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU)?
The annual tuition at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) is $10,686 for in-state students and $22,511 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $29,100 for in-state students and $40,925 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $12,474 (on) / $17,124 (off) and books and supplies $1,200.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does West Chester University of Pennsylvania offer?
West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) offers 102 academic programs across 24 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Post-Master's, Doctorate (Research), Doctorate (Professional), Other Award.
Most popular program areas include:
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (10 programs)
- Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (23 programs)
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (15 programs)
- Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies (3 programs)
- Public Administration, Social Work and Community Services (3 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for West Chester University of Pennsylvania?
West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) has an 79.2% acceptance rate and a 23.7% yield rate, making it selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 16,467
- Students admitted: 13,042
- Students enrolled: 3,087
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at West Chester University of Pennsylvania?
West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) provides financial aid to 21% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $5,503 and average loans of $9,762.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,002
- State/Local grants: $4,254
- Institutional grants: $2,325
- Federal loans: $5,354
The university supports 2,074 students with grants and 2,015 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for West Chester University of Pennsylvania graduates?
West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) graduates earn a median salary of $51,013 after 6 years and $61,258 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $41,905 (25th percentile) to $83,592 (75th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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