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#3 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

WCU Admission Requirements

West Chester, Pennsylvania

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Your chances of getting into West Chester University of Pennsylvania

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

89.4%
Admission Difficulty for West Chester University of Pennsylvania
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Challenging 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at WCU is 89.4%.  Its admission rate is the 79th lowest in Pennsylvania.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into WCU and can you get accepted?

West Chester University of Pennsylvania is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 12,528 out of the 14,020 who applied were admitted.

The school has challenging admission requirements, generally admitting students who can score in the top 40 percent on standardized admission tests. West Chester University of Pennsylvania typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.43. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 21% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into WCU?

89% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to West Chester University of Pennsylvania you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.43 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1160 on the SAT
  • Score 26 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

WCU GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.43

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into West Chester University of Pennsylvania?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into WCU are to have around a 3.43 high school GPA. You are required to have above average high school grades.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.43 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as WCU accepts 89% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at WCU is 3.43 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #61 in Pennsylvania for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since WCU is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.4 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted West Chester University of Pennsylvania students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 12.06% Good
3.75 to 3.99 16.59% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 20.24% Avg +
3.25 to 3.49 19.03% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 16.51% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 12.21% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 3.35% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 0% Reach
less than 1.00 0% Reach

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

WCU SAT Scores

Test Optional

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to West Chester University of Pennsylvania. If you submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 27% of students submitted SAT scores and 1% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1070-1250

Applicants Submitting SAT 

27%
SAT Scores for West Chester University of Pennsylvania
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 540
Math 25th Percentile 530
Composite 25th Percentile 1070
SAT Scores for West Chester University of Pennsylvania
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 630
Math 75th Percentile 620
Composite 75th Percentile 1250
Average SAT Score 1160

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to West Chester University of Pennsylvania?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at WCU is 1160 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1070-1250. Students who get into West Chester University of Pennsylvania score in the top 47 percent of all SAT test takers..  WCU ranks #28 in the state of Pennsylvania for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1160 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. WCU regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1070 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1070, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 980, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "considered but not required".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1160 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1160, you have around a 89% chance of being admitted. A 1250 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 94% chance of getting in.

West Chester University of Pennsylvania admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1250 and Above Good >94%
1160 to 1250 Avg + 89%-94%
1070 to 1160 Avg - 81%-89%
980 to 1070 Reach 69%-81%
Less than 980 Low <69%
Calculate My Chances 

WCU ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

23-29 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

1%
ACT Scores for West Chester University of Pennsylvania
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 22
Math 25th Percentile 20
Composite 25th Percentile 23
ACT Scores for West Chester University of Pennsylvania
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 30
Math 75th Percentile 27
Composite 75th Percentile 29
Average ACT Score 26

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into WCU?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to WCU is 26, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 23 and 29.  The school ranks #23 in Pennsylvania for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 26. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 23 and score in the score in the top 32 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 20.

1 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to West Chester University of Pennsylvania.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as West Chester University of Pennsylvania is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "considered but not required".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into WCU for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 26 score has around 89% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 94% with a 29 ACT score.

West Chester University of Pennsylvania admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
29 and Above Good >94%
26 to 29 Avg + 89%-94%
23 to 26 Avg - 81%-89%
20 to 23 Reach 69%-81%
Less than 20 Low <69%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

71% of West Chester University of Pennsylvania freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 35% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted West Chester University of Pennsylvania students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 13%
Top 25% of class 35%
Top 50% of class 71%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

West Chester University of Pennsylvania admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 9,036 4,984 14,020
Accepted 8,290 4,238 12,528
Acceptance Rate 92% 85% 89%
Enrolled 1,609 1,019 2,628
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 19% 24% 21%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to West Chester University of Pennsylvania is $45.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to West Chester University of Pennsylvania and what student information is used for admission decisions?

West Chester University of Pennsylvania Application Requirements
Test Scores Considered but not required
High School GPA Recommended
High School Class Rank Recommended
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required
Recommendations Neither required nor recommended
Demonstration of Competencies Recommended

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at West Chester University of Pennsylvania
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes

Admission Requirements Summary

Because West Chester University of Pennsylvania is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.43 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1160 and ACT of 26 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to West Chester University of Pennsylvania often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=216764 IPEDS survey data for West Chester University of Pennsylvania.

FAQs

Does West Chester University of Pennsylvania prefer SAT or ACT?

27% of students submit their SAT scores to WCU. 1% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.

What is my chance of getting into West Chester University of Pennsylvania?

89% of those who apply are granted admission to WCU. Admission competition is and the college has challenging admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.

What SAT score is required for West Chester University of Pennsylvania?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 1070 and 1250. The average SAT score is 1160. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.

What ACT score is required for West Chester University of Pennsylvania?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 23 and 29. The average ACT score is 26. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.