West Chester University of Pennsylvania College Portrait
West Chester University of PennsylvaniaWest Chester, PA 19383
610-436-1000
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
The second-largest school in Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education and the fourth-largest university in the Philadelphia area, West Chester is a leading resource and partner in fostering the region’s economic, social and cultural vitality. Its 400-acre campus is situated in the beautiful, historically significant Brandywine Valley. With roots dating back to 1812, West Chester has evolved into a comprehensive university which excels in teacher education, business, health, natural and social sciences, music and the arts. Ranked among Kiplinger’s 100 best values in public colleges for its academic quality and affordability, the University is committed to providing access and serving the educational needs of a diverse student body. Today, West Chester University offers more than 80 undergraduate and 70 master’s degree and graduate certificate programs.
Living in the Golden Rams Community
West Chester University is committed to providing access to the best educational preparation in today’s global society. To that end, students are exposed to an educational experience that encourages leadership and growth through a variety of rigorous academic and extracurricular programs, including 24 men’s and women’s athletic teams and 236 student clubs and organizations. Faculty are dedicated to teaching and excellence in their fields: Some design innovative courses responsive to the region’s needs, and many enhance classroom experiences with service learning. Undergraduates receive hands-on training on current technology in the sciences and other fields both on campus in state-of-the-art facilities and via internships. Students also are encouraged to be involved in their community and explore its many cultural opportunities. From Learning Communities, where students live and learn in small groups that foster relationships and critical thinking, to extensive library holdings and accessible faculty and administrators, West Chester is an educational experience that prepares its students for a lifetime.
The Big Picture: How many students were on campus in Fall 2010?
More Information
| Total Students | 14,490 | |
|---|---|---|
Undergraduate Snapshot
| Total Undergraduate Students | 12,232 | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | ||
| Women | 7,265 | 59% |
| Men | 4,967 | 41% |
| Race/Ethnicity | ||
| American Indian / Alaskan Native | 55 | <1% |
| Asian | 261 | 2% |
| African American / Black | 1,136 | 9% |
| Hispanic | 435 | 4% |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 0 | <1% |
| White | 10,258 | 84% |
| Two or More Races | 6 | <1% |
| International | 34 | <1% |
| Race/Ethnicity Not Reported | 47 | <1% |
| Where do WCU undergraduates call home? | |
|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 88% |
| Other US States & Territories | 12% |
| Other Countries | <1% |
| Residency Unknown | <1% |
| How old are WCU undergraduates? | |
| Average Age | 20 |
| Percent of Undergraduates Age 25 or Older | 10% |
New Student Applications (Fall 2010)
New Freshmen High School Background and Test Scores
Test(s) Required for Admission: SAT or ACT recommended
| Test Scores of Enrolled New Freshmen | SAT |
|---|---|
| Math | 500 - 590 |
| Critical Reading | 490 - 580 |
50% of admitted students have test scores within the ranges listed, 25% have scores above, and 25% have scores below.
| High School Background of Enrolled New Freshmen | ||
|---|---|---|
| Percent in top 25% of High School Graduating Class | 44% | |
| Percent in top 50% of High School Graduating Class | 83% | |
| Percent of New Freshmen who submitted HS GPA | 72% | |
| Average High School GPA (4-point scale) | 3.48 | |
| Percent who submitted High School GPA | 90% | |
Sticker Price: How much does it cost on average?
Typical Undergraduate Costs for 2009-10 without Financial Aid (Full-Time, In-State Students)
Total Typical Cost of Attendance: $23,706
Out-of-State & Other Costs
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The cost to attend West Chester University of Pennsylvania varies based on the individual circumstances of students and may be reduced through grants and scholarships.
How much would I pay?
Financial Aid: How much help is there to pay?
Scholarships & Grants
- 34% of 2009-10 full-time undergraduates received need-based grants or scholarships; the average award for the year was $5,402. Scholarships and grants are financial aid that does not need to be repaid and is sometimes referred to as gift aid.
Annual Need-Based Loans
- 48% of 2009-10 full-time undergraduates received need-based work-study and/or loans (not including parent loans); the average loan for the year was $4,282. Loans need to be repaid. Typically, repayment starts once you are no longer enrolled full-time. Please refer to page 12 of the Funding Education Beyond High School guide on the US Department of Education's Federal Student Aid website for more information about Financial Need.
Percent of 2008-2009 Full-time Beginning Students Receiving Each Type of Financial Aid
NOTE: Students may receive aid from more than one source.
WCU Classes & Instructors
| Classroom Environment | |
|---|---|
| Students per Faculty | 20 to 1 |
| Undergraduate classes with fewer than 30 students | 58% |
| Undergraduate classes with fewer than 50 students | 93% |
| Total Full-Time Instructional Faculty | 546 |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Are Female | 53% |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Are Persons of Color | 13% |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Have the Highest Academic Degree Offered in Their Field of Study | 82% |
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Campus-based Housing
92% of new freshmen live in campus-based housing or residence halls.
37% of all undergraduates live on campus
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Campus Safety
The University Department of Public Safety consists of 22 police officers, 15 security officers and clerical staff. The department operates 24/7 year-round and is responsible for police, physical and electronic security, emergency management, threat assessment and parking. Its officers receive annual training in emergency response and Pennsylvania Code updates. All residence halls and many other campus buildings are access controlled, and approximately 280 security cameras are strategically located around campus.
Campus Crime Statistics
Carnegie Classification of Institutional Characteristics
The Carnegie Classification's were created "to reference the great diversity of colleges and universities in the United States, and ... enable [people] to identify groups of roughly comparable institutions." For information on the Carnegie Classifications system, please visit their website: http://classifications.carnegiefoundation.org/
- Basic Type
- Master's Colleges and Universities (larger programs)
- Size and Setting
- Large four-year, primarily residential
- Enrollment Profile
- High undergraduate
- Undergraduate Profile
- Full-time four-year, selective, higher transfer-in
- Undergraduate Instructional Program
- Balanced arts & sciences/professions, high graduate coexistence
- Graduate Instructional Program
- Postbaccalaureate comprehensive
NOTE: Institutional classifications based on the Carnegie 2005 edition.
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Student Activities and Involvement at WCU
Students who are actively involved in their own learning and development are more likely to be successful in college. Colleges and universities offer students a wide variety of opportunities both inside and outside the classroom to become engaged with new ideas, people, and experiences. Institutions measure the effectiveness of these opportunities in a variety of ways to better understand what types of activities and programs students find the most helpful.
Institutions participating in the VSA program measure student involvement on campus using one of four national surveys. Results from the one survey are reported for a common set of questions selected as part of VSA. Following are the selected results from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). The questions have been grouped together in categories that are known to contribute to student learning and development. The results reported below are based on the responses of seniors who participated in the survey.
Group Learning Experiences
- 95% percent of seniors worked with classmates on assignments outside of class.
- 51% of seniors tutored or taught other students
- 29% of seniors spent at least 6 hours per week participating in co-curricular activities such as student organizations and intramural sports
Active Learning Experiences
- 84% of seniors spent at least 6 hours per week preparing for class
- 15% of seniors worked on a research project with a faculty member
- 56% of seniors participated in an internship, practicum, or field experience
- 62% of seniors participated in community service or volunteer work
- 8% of seniors participated in study abroad
- 96% of seniors made at least one class presentation last year
Institutional Commitment to Student Learning and Success
- 98% of seniors believe this institution provides support for student success
- 68% of seniors rated the quality of academic advising at this institution as good or excellent
- 66% of seniors reported that this institution provided help in coping with work, family and other non-academic responsibilities
- 95% of seniors reported working harder than they thought they could to meet an instructor's standards or expectations
Student Interaction with Campus Faculty and Staff
- 52% of seniors believed that the campus staff were helpful, considerate, or flexible
- 84% of seniors believed that faculty are available, helpful, or sympathetic
- 98% of seniors reported that faculty members provided prompt feedback on their academic performance
- 71% of seniors discussed readings or ideas with faculty members outside of class
Experiences with Diverse Groups of People and Ideas
- 68% of seniors reported that they often tried to understand someone else's point of view
- 89% of seniors reported their experience at this institution contributed to their understanding people of other racial and ethnic backgrounds
- 53% of seniors often had serious conversations with students of a different race or ethnicity
Student Satisfaction
- 85% of seniors would attend this institution if they started over again
- 90% of seniors rated their entire educational experience as good or excellent
- 83% of seniors reported that other students were friendly or supportive
Evaluation of Experiences
Survey Administration Process
Survey Information
Majors and Degrees
| Degrees awarded at West Chester University of Pennsylvania in 2009-10 | |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's | 2,422 |
| Master's | 631 |
| Total | 3,053 |
More Information
| Areas of Study with the largest number of bachelor's degrees awarded in 2009-10 | |
|---|---|
| EDUCATION | 10% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies | 9% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness, General | 6% |
| Psychology, General | 6% |
| Business Administration and Management, General | 5% |
| Links to degree programs at West Chester University of Pennsylvania |
|---|
Bachelor'sMaster's |
Future Plans of Spring 2011 Bachelor's Degree Recipients
Survey Administration Process
Student Success & Progress Rate
A 89% four-year success and progress rate means that 89% of students starting in Fall 2004 either graduated or are still enrolled at a higher education institution four years later.
Counts for the Fall 2004 entering class shown in the graph above.
- 1,874 First-Time, Full-Time Students
- 911 Full-Time Transfer Students
Success & Progress Rate Table
Retention of Freshman Class
First-time students in Fall 2009 that returned for their second year: 85%
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Student Learning at West Chester University of Pennsylvania
All colleges and universities use multiple approaches to measure student learning. Many of these are specific to particular disciplines, many are coordinated with accrediting agencies, and many are based on outcomes after students have graduated.
Student success is at the heart of the West Chester University strategic plan; assessment provides a way to deliver on our commitment to improving student learning and student outcomes. Each program, department, and college assess their learning goals and these are regularly revised and reviewed as a result of assessment results. In addition, we conduct program-level General Education assessment that is university-wide and assessment data becomes part of a feedback loop that used for the review and revision of general education goals and student learning outcomes.
Learning Assessment Examples
Pilot Project to Measure Core Learning Outcomes
Colleges and universities participating in the College Portrait measure the typical improvement in students' abilities to think, reason, and write using one of three tests. This is part of a pilot project to better understand and compare what students learn between their freshman and senior years at different colleges and universities.
Coming soon! Data will be available August 2011.