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Summary
West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public institution that was founded in 1871. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 12,834, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 407 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. West Chester University of Pennsylvania's ranking in the 2013 edition of Best Colleges is Regional Universities (North), 70. Its in-state tuition and fees are $8,728 (2012-13); out-of-state tuition and fees are $18,370 (2012-13).
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Established in 1871 as a teacher's college, West Chester University is a public comprehensive institution committed to high-quality undergraduate and graduate education. Preparing the largest number of teachers certified in Pennsylvania, WCU has expanded to meet employers' needs by offering programs and partnerships that provide students with internships and practicum experiences. The interdisciplinary B.S. in Pharmaceutical Product Development features paid cooperative assignments, preparing undergraduates for positions in the biopharmaceutical industry or graduate programs. The Computer Science Department's Center for Academic Excellence in Information Assurance is one of only 70 such institutes nationwide. As a cultural center, WCU offers over 100 concerts, exhibits, speakers and visiting artists annually. West Chester is ranked in the top 100 "best buys" by the Kiplinger magazine among 500 public four-year colleges and universities around the country. |
General Information
| School type | public, coed college |
| Year founded | 1871 |
| Religious affiliation | N/A |
| Academic calendar | semester |
| Setting | suburban |
| 2011 Endowment | $16,370,242 |
Applying
When applying to West Chester University of Pennsylvania, it's important to note the application deadline is rolling. Scores for either the ACT or SAT test are due February 1. The application fee at West Chester University of Pennsylvania is $45. It is selective, with an acceptance rate of 46.5 percent.
For more information about the tests, essays, interviews, and admissions process, visit the Applying to College knowledge center.
| Selectivity | selective |
| Fall 2011 acceptance rate | 46.5% |
| Application deadline | rolling |
| SAT/ACT scores must be received by | February 1 |
Academic Life
The student-faculty ratio at West Chester University of Pennsylvania is 18:1, and the school has 20.3 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at West Chester University of Pennsylvania include: Education; Health Professions and Related Programs; Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; English Language and Literature/Letters; and Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 85.0 percent.
Student Life
West Chester University of Pennsylvania has a total undergraduate enrollment of 12,834, with a gender distribution of 41.2 percent male students and 58.8 percent female students. At this school, 41.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 59.1 percent of students live off campus. West Chester University of Pennsylvania is part of the NCAA II athletic conference.
| Total enrollment | 15,100 |
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| Collegiate athletic association | NCAA II |
Campus Info & Services
West Chester University of Pennsylvania offers a number of student services including nonremedial tutoring, women's center, placement service, health service, and health insurance. West Chester University of Pennsylvania also offers campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, and controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc). Alcohol is not permitted for students of legal age at West Chester University of Pennsylvania.
| Students who have cars on campus | N/A |
| Health insurance offered | Yes |
| Students required to own/lease a computer | No |
More About Campus Info & Services
Paying for School
At West Chester University of Pennsylvania, 61.6 percent of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $5,165.
Paying for college doesn't have to be difficult or devastating. Go to the Paying for College knowledge center to get advice on raising cash and reducing costs.
| In-state tuition and fees | $8,728 (2012-13) |
| Out-of-state tuition and fees | $18,370 (2012-13) |
| Room and board | $7,980 (2012-13) |
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* Overview details based on 2011 data
