West Chester University of Pennsylvania
#3 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Pennsylvania- Graduation Rate
- 70% B-
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $61,258 A-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $23,331 D+
- 36% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 78% C
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 16.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $16.5 over 20 years. Ranked #3 in Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Pennsylvania.
Every $1 spent returns $16.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,442,120.
What The Data Says
-
A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduates earn 50% more than the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $16.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.1%
- Top 90%
- Patents
- 24
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 256
- Downstream influence
Why West Chester University of Pennsylvania Matters
West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public research university in West Chester, PA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a strong research base and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R2 · High Research
- Enrollment
- 14,164
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Education, Psychology
Why students choose West Chester University of Pennsylvania
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 78% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1100–1270. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $23,331 a year after grants and scholarships — 36% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $61,258 ten years after enrolling — 50% above the typical college, against $23,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.3% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 61% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.77 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of over 14,000 students, West Chester University is a great fit for those seeking a vibrant campus life and a range of practical programs. Students here dive into fields like Business and Marketing, Health Professions, Education, Psychology, and Criminal Justice. This variety reflects the university’s strong commitment to equipping students with skills that are in demand in today’s job market.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $61,258 within ten years, which paints a promising picture of life after West Chester. This earning potential is significant, especially considering that the net price of attending is approximately $23,331. While a quarter of students receive Pell Grants, the pathway to financial stability seems attainable for those willing to work hard and pursue opportunities.
When we look at the financial aspect more closely, the median debt load is around $23,500, which is manageable given the average earnings post-graduation. Students who tend to thrive here are often those who embrace the community and actively engage with campus resources, paving their way toward success in their chosen fields. Overall, West Chester University strikes a balance between affordability and strong outcomes, making it a solid option for many.
Rankings
- #3 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #5 Best MBA Programs in Pennsylvania
- #6 Best Online Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #6 Best Education Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #7 Best Business Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #14 Best Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #14 Best Bachelor's Programs in Pennsylvania
- #14 Best Master's Programs in Pennsylvania
Can I Get In?
How selective West Chester University of Pennsylvania is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into West Chester University of Pennsylvania? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in West Chester, Pennsylvania, West Chester University of Pennsylvania admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 78%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,187. The graduation rate is roughly 70%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 78%
- Retention Rate
- 83%
- SAT Average
- 1187
- ACT Midpoint
- 26
- SAT Range
- 1100–1270
- ACT Range
- 24–28
- Full-Time Faculty
- 72%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $11,216
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 20:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.44
- First-Gen Students
- 28%
- Applicants
- 14,778
- Admitted
- 12,982
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend West Chester University of Pennsylvania? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at West Chester University of Pennsylvania is $22,599, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $23,331. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,018 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $10,775
- Out-of-State
- $22,599
- Avg Net Price
- $23,331
- Median Debt
- $23,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 25%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 54%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $17,018
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $17,414
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $20,417
- Family Income $110K+
- $27,160
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at West Chester University of Pennsylvania — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is West Chester University of Pennsylvania Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of West Chester University of Pennsylvania earn a median of $61,258, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $51,013
- 8 Years
- $58,013
- 10 Years
- $61,258
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.38x
- Earning > $25K
- 74%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (1,289)
- 55%
- 100% (1,289)
- 55%
- 100% (1,289)
- 55%
- 100% (1,289)
- 55%
How West Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is West Chester University of Pennsylvania Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, West Chester University of Pennsylvania delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $23,331/year ($93,324 total). Graduates earn $61,258 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,535,444 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,442,120 (16.5× your investment). The median debt is $23,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 70% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $93,324
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,535,444
- Net Return
- $1,442,120
- ROI Multiple
- 16.5×
- Cost Per Year
- $23,331
- Median Debt
- $23,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 70%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does West Chester University of Pennsylvania Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.27%, well above the typical college. About 4.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 30.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $102,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.27%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 30.3%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 4.2%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $139,533
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
West Chester University of Pennsylvania produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 24 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.13%
- Top 90% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 24
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 256
- Downstream influence
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $2,943,506
- Investment Income
- $-5,063,012
Top Programs
The fields West Chester University of Pennsylvania awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 26% $70,404 early-career
- Health Professions 14% $79,197 early-career
- Education 10% $54,499 early-career
- Psychology 9% $36,281 early-career
- Criminal Justice 5% $45,495 early-career
- English & Literature 4% $45,237 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 4% $42,004 early-career
- Humanities 4% $45,237 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for West Chester University of Pennsylvania's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Nurse Practitioner$129,480 · 40% growthResilient 96
- CTraining Manager$125,040 · 6% growthResilient 74
- CProduct Manager$125,000 · 8% growthAdaptable 52
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into West Chester University of Pennsylvania? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in West Chester, Pennsylvania, West Chester University of Pennsylvania admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 78%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,187. The graduation rate is roughly 70%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend West Chester University of Pennsylvania? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at West Chester University of Pennsylvania is $22,599, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $23,331. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,018 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,500 in federal student loans.
Is West Chester University of Pennsylvania Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of West Chester University of Pennsylvania earn a median of $61,258, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does West Chester University of Pennsylvania Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.27%, well above the typical college. About 4.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 30.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $102,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is West Chester University of Pennsylvania? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. Its economic connectedness score is 1.77, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to West Chester University of Pennsylvania.
- Rowan UniversityGlassboro, NJ · Close peer68% grad $59,988 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Kansas State UniversityManhattan, KS · Close peer71% grad $57,262 earn 82% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Towson UniversityTowson, MD · Close peer69% grad $64,390 earn 82% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Western Washington UniversityBellingham, WA · Close peer65% grad $62,569 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Montana State UniversityBozeman, MT · Close peer57% grad $53,263 earn 82% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar size · similar net price
- University of Nevada-RenoReno, NV · Close peer62% grad $60,614 earn 74% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is West Chester University of Pennsylvania? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. Its economic connectedness score is 1.77, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note