West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Chester, Pennsylvania · Public · 78.4% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 67/100 · Fair Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
West Chester University of Pennsylvania scores 67 (Fair Value) on the CampusROI scale - a PASSHE regional public university in West Chester, PA with 14,164 enrolled students, in-state tuition of $10,775, and a net price of $23,331. The score reflects an 8.9-year payback period, a 28.1% earnings premium, a 0.595 debt-to-earnings ratio, a 70.5% completion rate, and an 85.0% repayment rate at 3 years. Average 6-year earnings of $39,500 are modest; the median 10-year figure of $61,258 indicates stronger long-term growth. The Scorecard reports only one program with data for West Chester: Registered Nursing (224 grads, $98,013 at year four, grade not assignable due to missing year-one earnings). The absence of year-one earnings and debt data for nursing prevents a formal program grade, but the year-four figure of $98,013 is strong. The limited program data in the Scorecard reflects either data suppression due to small cohort sizes in individual programs or a data reporting gap - WCU has broad undergraduate offerings across education, business, health sciences, and arts that are not individually captured here.
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $10,775/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $22,599/yr |
| Average net price | $23,331/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $93,324 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $61,258 |
| Average earnings (6yr post-entry) | $39,500 |
| Median debt at graduation | $23,500 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $249 |
| Estimated payback period | 8.9 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 70.5% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 14,164 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The first number you'll see is the sticker price: $10,775/year ($22,599/year out-of-state), which covers tuition and fees only. The net price counts books, supplies, and average living costs on top of tuition and fees, then subtracts grants and scholarships. For the average student here it comes to $23,331/year, or roughly $93,324 over four years. That's the number to plan around.
What you actually pay depends a lot on what your family earns. Families making under $30,000/year pay an average of $17,018/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $27,160/year.
Among graduates who borrowed, the median federal loan debt from this school is $23,500, which works out to about $249 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Our debt-to-earnings ratio divides that debt by average earnings six years after entry ($39,500) and comes to 0.59, under 1.0, meaning median debt is less than a full year of those earnings.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $17,018 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $17,414 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $20,417 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $24,715 |
| $110,001+ | $27,160 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 income bracket pays $17,018 per year at West Chester. The 30001-48000 bracket pays $17,414 - essentially the same. Nursing and health sciences graduates outperform the median substantially.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $20,417 and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $24,715. The net price schedule at WCU is relatively flat - about $10,000 separates the lowest and highest income brackets, reflecting limited need-based aid differentiation. WCU's proximity to Philadelphia is the primary location premium - students in health sciences, business, and education who can access the Philadelphia metro employer base face better outcomes than the institutional median.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families above $110,000 pay $27,160 per year at WCU - a four-year total near $109,000. For high-income families whose students are specifically targeting nursing, health administration, or business careers in the Philadelphia metro, WCU at $27,000 per year is a reasonable cost structure. The 85.0% repayment rate at 3 years suggests that WCU graduates are broadly managing their debt.
Earnings by Major
Top 1 most popular majors at West Chester University of Pennsylvania with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $98,013 | - |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing is the only program with Scorecard data at West Chester: 224 confirmed graduates and $98,013 at year four. Year-one earnings are not reported, which prevents a formal grade assignment. The year-four figure of $98,013 is strong and consistent with RN wages in the Philadelphia metro, where hospital wages are above the national average. Prospective nursing students should confirm current program costs, clinical placement availability, and NCLEX pass rates directly with the institution.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Median of schools we score |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 81.5% | 68.8% |
| 3-year repayment | 85.0% | 73.6% |
| 5-year repayment | 80.8% | 67.7% |
| 7-year repayment | 84.6% | 72.8% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How West Chester University of Pennsylvania’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2024).
Average Net Price
Completion Rate
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry (as reported)
Earnings reflect borrowers measured 10 years after entry and publish on an irregular cadence with a multi-year reporting lag, so this series shows only the years the Department of Education reported - the data is never interpolated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release years shown. Net price and completion are reported annually.
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 78.4% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 540-620 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 560-650 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 24-28 |
| Enrollment | 14,164 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 25.4% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $11,216 |
WCU's admission rate is 78.4%. WCU has competitive nursing admissions, with clinical placement constraints limiting class size. Students who intend to pursue nursing should apply early, confirm clinical site access, and understand that capacity constraints may require planning for a competitive internal application process after initial enrollment.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
The 85.0% repayment rate at 3 years suggests that despite modest median earnings, graduates are managing their debt load well - likely reflecting the favorable employment market in Chester County and the Philadelphia suburbs.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania (this school) | 67 | $23,331 | $61,258 |
| Indiana University-Indianapolis | 67 | $11,668 | $55,198 |
| Rowan University | 66 | $22,408 | $59,988 |
| CUNY New York City College of Technology | 64 | $5,127 | $49,365 |
| East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania | 51 | $18,134 | $56,148 |
| Cheyney University of Pennsylvania | 11 | $14,265 | $37,837 |
Who Thrives Here
West Chester University admits 78.4% of applicants. SAT mid-ranges are 540-620 Math and 560-650 Reading; ACT composite 24-28. With 14,164 enrolled students and a 25.4% Pell grant rate, WCU serves a broadly mixed-income Pennsylvania student body, drawing heavily from Chester County and the Philadelphia suburbs. The institution has a strong regional reputation in education, health sciences, and business. WCU's location in one of Pennsylvania's wealthiest suburban counties - with proximity to Philadelphia's healthcare, finance, and corporate employer base - contributes to the 85.0% repayment rate, which suggests graduates are navigating debt serviceably. Students who enter health sciences, nursing, or business and remain through completion are the clearest beneficiaries of WCU's value.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a fair-value bet, but how well it pays off depends a lot on you. At $23,331 a year after aid ($93,324 over four years), with the typical graduate earning $61,258 a decade out, the cost takes about 8.9 years to earn back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years.
What it has going for it: its 70.5% graduation rate, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $23,500 among graduates who borrowed, against average earnings of $39,500 six years after entry, gives a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59, under the 1.0 point at which debt would equal a full year of those earnings. Your major matters a lot here: graduates in higher-earning fields will see the better end of this.
West Chester University of Pennsylvania: Common Questions
Is West Chester University of Pennsylvania worth it?
In our view, it's a fair-value bet - whether West Chester University of Pennsylvania is worth it depends a lot on your major and aid package. It scores 67/100 on our ROI scale. At $23,331 a year after aid ($93,324 over four years) against $61,258 in typical earnings a decade out, the cost takes about 8.9 years to earn back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years.
How much does West Chester University of Pennsylvania cost after financial aid?
The average net price - the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, supplies and average living costs) minus grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time students receiving federal aid - is about $23,331 a year, or roughly $93,324 over four years. Because it counts living costs, it can run above tuition alone. That is the number to plan around. Actual cost varies by family income, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
What do West Chester University of Pennsylvania graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $61,258 ten years after enrolling, roughly $19,458 a year more than the median high-school graduate ($41,800, per NCES, 2022). That earnings gap is what has to cover the cost of the degree.
How long does it take to pay off West Chester University of Pennsylvania?
We estimate the payback period - the time it takes for the earnings bump over a high-school graduate to cover what you spent - at about 8.9 years for West Chester University of Pennsylvania. The median across the schools we track is about 12 years.
How much debt do West Chester University of Pennsylvania graduates take on?
Among graduates who borrowed, median federal loan debt from this school is about $23,500, against average earnings of $39,500 six years after entry - a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59. In our view that is reasonable, though your major matters: higher-earning fields will see the better end of it.
What is the graduation rate at West Chester University of Pennsylvania?
The six-year graduation rate is 70.5%, at or above the 64% national average for four-year schools (NCES, 2022). Completion is 15% of our ROI score, since a degree you don't finish rarely pays back.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.