More selective than 61% of Pennsylvania colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
16% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 1% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose WCU over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
What WCU weighs when deciding
How much each part of an application counts for first-year applicants, as WCU reports it. Programs with their own criteria (nursing, music, honors) can weigh things differently.
- Rigor of high school courses
- High school GPA
- Class rank
- SAT/ACT scores
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Talent or ability
- Character and personal qualities
- Interview
- Extracurricular activities
- First-generation college student
- Alumni relation (legacy)
- Where you live
- State residency
- Religious affiliation
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
- Your demonstrated interest
Item C7. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
High school GPA of WCU first-year students
Share of fall 2025 first-year students in each high school GPA range. Colleges report GPAs as they record them, weighted or not.
Items C11-C12; enrolled students, not admitted students. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
Early decision, early action and the waitlist
4,571 offered a spot, 2,405 took it, 1,036 admitted.
Items C2, C21-C22. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
WCU SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, WCU is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 560 | 650 |
| SAT math | 540 | 620 |
| ACT composite | 24 | 28 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1100 | 1270 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
WCU admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 78% | 560–650 | 540–620 | 24–28 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 79% | 560–640 | 540–630 | 24–28 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is WCU compared with other Pennsylvania colleges?
WCU has the 44th-lowest acceptance rate of 111 Pennsylvania colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | Rosemont College | 76% | 57% | $20,150 |
| 41 | Saint Francis University | 77% | 74% | $23,526 |
| 42 | DeSales University | 77% | 72% | $31,643 |
| 43 | Elizabethtown College | 78% | 76% | $26,598 |
| 44 | West Chester University of Pennsylvania | 78% | 71% | $23,331 |
| 45 | Juniata College | 79% | 74% | $23,988 |
| 46 | Messiah University | 79% | 75% | $26,502 |
| 47 | Drexel University | 79% | 78% | $38,509 |
| 48 | Seton Hill University | 80% | 67% | $22,204 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Pennsylvania colleges →
Who enrolls at WCU
College Scorecard; IPEDS
WCU admissions questions
What is the WCU acceptance rate?
West Chester University of Pennsylvania accepts 78% of applicants, most. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 13,042 of 16,467 applicants were admitted.
Does WCU require the SAT or ACT?
West Chester University of Pennsylvania considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 16% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 1% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for WCU?
The middle 50% of West Chester University of Pennsylvania enrolled first-year students scored 1100–1270 on the SAT and 24–28 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at WCU?
24% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (3,087 of 13,042).
What does WCU look for in applicants?
West Chester University of Pennsylvania reports these as very important for first-year applicants: rigor of high school courses, high school GPA. Considered: class rank, sAT/ACT scores, essay, recommendations, talent or ability, character and personal qualities. (Common Data Set 2025-26).
Does WCU have early decision?
No. West Chester University of Pennsylvania does not offer binding early decision (Common Data Set 2025-26).
How many students get off the WCU waitlist?
For fall 2025, 4,571 applicants were offered a waitlist spot, 2,405 accepted one and 1,036 were admitted (43% of those who stayed on the list).
Is WCU getting harder to get into?
West Chester University of Pennsylvania accepted 78% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 79% for Fall 2023.
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; WCU's Common Data Set 2025-26; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to West Chester University of Pennsylvania overview