West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Chester, Pennsylvania · Public · 78.4% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 67/100 · Fair Value
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 — the repayment rate is a standout positive and among the higher figures in the dataset. Median 6-year earnings of $39,500 are modest; the 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 |
| Median 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 sticker price at West Chester University of Pennsylvania is $10,775/year ($22,599/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $23,331/year, or roughly $93,324 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $17,018/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $27,160/year.
The median graduate leaves with $23,500 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $249 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $61,258 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.59 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
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 — a moderately high net price for a regional PASSHE university, suggesting that need-based aid at WCU is limited relative to some Pennsylvania institutions. The 30001-48000 bracket pays $17,414 — essentially the same. For low-income students in the Philadelphia suburbs, the combination of WCU's $17,000 net price and $39,500 median 6-year earnings produces an 8.9-year payback at the median. Nursing and health sciences graduates outperform the median substantially. Low-income students should run the net price calculator carefully, compare against other PASSHE institutions — particularly schools with stronger need-based aid packages — and identify a specific program before enrolling.
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. For middle-income Pennsylvania families, $20,000-$25,000 per year for a PASSHE credential is at the high end of the in-state public range. 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 — one of the highest in this dataset — suggests that WCU graduates are broadly managing their debt. High-income families who are comparing WCU against more expensive PASSHE and private alternatives should weight the 10-year earnings trajectory of $61,258 — which is moderately competitive for the Philadelphia market — against the specific program outcomes their students will access.
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. WCU's nursing program is one of the largest in the PASSHE system by graduate count. At a $23,331 institutional net price — noting that nursing program costs may exceed the average — WCU nursing is a well-positioned credential for the greater Philadelphia healthcare labor market. 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 | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 81.5% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 85.0% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 80.8% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 84.6% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
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 78.4% admission rate is broadly accessible for the Philadelphia suburban market. SAT 540-620 Math and 560-650 Reading and ACT 24-28 composite indicate above-average academic preparation. WCU has competitive nursing admissions — nursing is among the most selective programs in the PASSHE system, 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.
West Chester's Scorecard peer schools are Cheyney University, East Stroudsburg University, Indiana University Indianapolis, Rowan University, and CUNY New York City College of Technology. Of these, Rowan University is the most geographically and institutionally relevant comparison: both are regional Mid-Atlantic public universities with broad undergraduate programs and similar price points. WCU's ROI of 67 is consistent with Rowan and other PASSHE peers. The 85.0% repayment rate at 3 years is WCU's most distinguishing positive metric in this dataset, suggesting 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. The Scorecard's extremely limited program data (one program) makes standard program-level comparison impossible for West Chester.
| 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 is one of the largest PASSHE universities and 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 offers fair financial value, though the ROI depends heavily on individual circumstances. The net cost of $23,331 per year leads to $93,324 over four years, while graduates earn a median of $61,258 a decade out. The payback period of 8.9 years is about average - not bad, but not a standout either.
The data highlights several strengths: a 70.5% graduation rate, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $23,500 against $61,258 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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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.