
West Chester University (WCU) is a public research university in Pennsylvania with a total undergraduate enrollment of 14,344 students as of Fall 2023. The university has approximately 14,000 undergraduate students and 2,300 graduate students, with 41% living in college-owned housing and 59% living off campus. The university offers a range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs and is known for its strong health programs and research opportunities. With a mix of older and modern buildings, a variety of clubs and organizations, and a strong sense of community, WCU provides a well-rounded and engaging experience for its students.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of students | 17,275 (as of 2022) |
| Undergraduate students | 14,000-14,344 |
| Graduate students | 2,300 |
| Gender distribution | 41% male, 59% female |
| On-campus living | 41% |
| Off-campus living | 59% |
| Out-of-state students | 16% |
| Acceptance rate (Fall 2020) | 64% |
| Student-faculty ratio | 18:1 |
| Average class size | 25-30 |
| Median undergraduate tuition (2022) | $7,716 |
| Students receiving financial aid through grants (2022) | 53% |
| Students receiving financial aid through loans (2022) | 52% |
| Popular majors | Education, Business, Health Sciences, Natural Sciences |
| Sports teams | Golden Rams |
| Athletics | NCAA Division II athletics in the PSAC and the ECAC |
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What You'll Learn

West Chester University has around 14,000 undergraduates
West Chester University, officially known as West Chester University of Pennsylvania, is a medium-large-sized school with around 14,000 undergraduate students and 2,300 graduate students, with approximately 16% of students coming from out of state. The university is part of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and is located in Chester County, Pennsylvania, around 20 miles from the city of Philadelphia. The university's North Campus is partially in West Chester borough and West Goshen Township, while its South Campus is partially in East Bradford Township. West Chester's downtown centre is less than half a mile from the main campus.
The university offers a range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs, with popular majors including education, business, health sciences, and natural sciences. The student-to-faculty ratio is 18:1, and the average class size is between 25 and 30 students. The university also has a variety of clubs, organisations, and sports teams, with athletics teams known as the Golden Rams.
West Chester University provides on-campus housing for students, with approximately 41% of students living in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing, and 59% living off campus. The university is currently undergoing construction to accommodate its growth. The campus features a mix of older and newer buildings, with a traditional academic centre and more modern dorms.
The university is committed to providing high-quality undergraduate education and encourages undergraduates to participate in experiential learning opportunities, such as internships and collaborative research with faculty members. West Chester University also offers support services, including the Learning Assistance and Resource Center (LARC), which provides tutoring services and academic success workshops. The university is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and is classified as a "Doctoral University with high research activity".
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41% live in college-owned housing
West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public research university located in and around West Chester, Pennsylvania. It is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and is classified as an "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity" institution.
The university has a total undergraduate enrollment of approximately 14,000 to 14,344 students, with about 2,300 graduate students, as of 2018 and 2023. This makes it a medium-large-sized school. The gender distribution is 41% male and 59% female. Additionally, 41% of students live in college-owned housing, while 59% live off-campus.
The campus has a mix of older granite and stone buildings and newer brick buildings. It offers a range of accommodations and services, including a special summer orientation, academic coaching, and tutoring services. The university is also committed to providing high-quality undergraduate education and selected post-baccalaureate and graduate programs.
West Chester University has a strong sense of community, and students praise the accessibility of the professors. The average class size is 25-30, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 18:1. The university's proximity to Philadelphia is considered a bonus, and it offers a bus service to the city and local attractions.
The university's athletic teams are named the Golden Rams, and they participate in NCAA Division II athletics. West Chester University has won national championships in various sports, including women's basketball, women's lacrosse, and men's soccer.
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59% of students live off-campus
West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a medium-large-sized public research university with approximately 14,000 undergraduate students and 2,300 graduate students, with 41% living in college-owned housing. This means that 59% of students live off-campus. The university is located in a suburban area approximately 20 miles (32 km) from Philadelphia, with the town's downtown centre less than 0.5 miles (0.80 km) away from the main campus.
The university offers a range of extracurricular activities, including Greek life, sports clubs, and academic societies. The athletic teams are named the Golden Rams, and students participate in NCAA Division II athletics. The university also has a strong health sciences program, with popular majors including nursing and natural sciences. The student-to-faculty ratio is 18:1, and students praise the accessibility of professors and the sense of community on campus.
West Chester University provides a range of services and accommodations, including special summer orientation, academic coaching, and tutoring services. The Learning Assistance and Resource Center (LARC) offers tutoring for many 100-200 level courses and academic success workshops. The university also has a Center for Disability Services, providing individual support to students.
The university is committed to multicultural studies, with the Frederick Douglass Institute advancing research and promoting literacy programs. The annual Frederick Douglass lecture is a notable event, with a statue commemorating his last public lecture at the university in 1895. West Chester University offers a diverse range of degree programs, with over 118 undergraduate and 80 graduate programs, as well as 5 doctoral programs across more than 50 fields of study.
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The student-faculty ratio is 18:1
West Chester University, officially known as West Chester University of Pennsylvania, is a medium-large-sized university with approximately 14,000 undergraduate students and 2,300 graduate students, according to a 2018 estimate. A more recent figure from 2022 puts the combined number of undergraduate and graduate students at 17,275.
The student-faculty ratio at West Chester University is 18:1. This means that for every 18 students, there is one faculty member. This ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of faculty members. It is a measure of the university's class size and faculty resources. A lower student-faculty ratio is generally considered favourable as it indicates smaller class sizes and more individual attention for students.
West Chester University offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs in various fields of study. The university is committed to providing high-quality education and encourages undergraduates to participate in experiential learning opportunities, such as internships and collaborative research with faculty members. The average class size at the university is between 25 and 30 students, which falls within the range suggested by the student-faculty ratio.
The student-faculty ratio can be an important factor for prospective students when considering a university. It can impact the quality of education and the level of interaction between students and faculty. A lower student-faculty ratio may indicate that students have more opportunities for mentorship, advising, and personalized attention from faculty members. Additionally, it can suggest that the university has sufficient resources to support its students' academic needs.
West Chester University's student-faculty ratio of 18:1 indicates a relatively low number of students per faculty member. This ratio contributes to the feeling of a strong sense of community on campus, as mentioned by students. The accessibility of professors and the sense of family on campus are praised by students, suggesting that the student-faculty ratio facilitates a positive and supportive learning environment.
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53% of undergrads received financial aid in 2022
West Chester University, officially known as West Chester University of Pennsylvania, is a public research university located in and around West Chester, Pennsylvania. It is the largest of the 10 state-owned universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) and the sixth-largest university in Pennsylvania.
The university has a total undergraduate enrollment of approximately 14,000 to 14,344 students, with around 2,300 graduate students. In 2022, the university had a total of 17,275 undergraduate and graduate students.
Regarding financial aid, West Chester University provides financial assistance and counselling to undergraduate and graduate students to support their educational goals. The university's financial aid consists of gift aid, such as scholarships or grants, and self-help aid in the form of employment or loans. Eligibility for financial aid is generally based on demonstrated financial need, with factors such as family income, assets, and family size considered.
While I cannot find the exact number or percentage of undergraduate students who received financial aid in 2022, one source mentions that West Chester University of Pennsylvania gives a smaller percentage of its students institutional grants compared to similar schools. This suggests that a smaller percentage of students may receive financial aid, which could be around or less than the mentioned 53%.
Students seeking financial aid at West Chester University typically complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and may be considered for various forms of assistance, including scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study opportunities. The university's Net Price Calculator can also help students estimate their anticipated financial aid.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2022, West Chester University has 17,275 undergraduate and graduate students.
Approximately 41% of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing. This amounts to around 5,871 students based on the number of undergraduate students in 2022.
59% of students live off campus. This amounts to around 8,270 students.
About 90% of freshmen live on campus. This amounts to around 1,260 students based on the number of freshmen in 2018.











































