West Chester is the county seat of Chester County, a historic borough about 25 miles west of Philadelphia, and its public university is the biggest in Pennsylvania's state system. WCU opened in 1871 as a teacher-training school. It now enrols around 17,000 students across business, health sciences, education, computer science and the arts. The campus runs right up to the borough's restaurant streets.
West Chester, Pennsylvania, United States
Official website: wcupa.edu
1871
Public university, Pennsylvania State System
Around 17,000 students
$15,000 – $24,000
Out-of-state tuition, graduate to undergraduate
$13,000 – $17,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on wcupa.edu before you apply.
BS Computer Science
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 80
BS Accounting
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 80
BS Nursing
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
MS Computer Science
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
MBA
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
The largest university in Pennsylvania's state system.
A walkable campus beside a historic borough.
Philadelphia's employers and hospitals within an hour.
Graduates join pharma, finance and healthcare employers in the Philadelphia suburbs.
Education graduates teach across Pennsylvania.
STEM graduates can apply for up to three years of OPT.
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
The main campus has a quad of green-stone buildings, residence halls and a large recreation centre. High Street and Gay Street are a few minutes' walk away.
West Chester is lively for a small town, with lots of restaurants. Philadelphia is about an hour by car or by bus and train, and rent is moderate.
Form I-20 issued by West Chester University
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
WCU reviews undergraduate applications on a rolling basis after its early deadlines. International applicants should apply by about May for fall and October for spring. Graduate programmes set their own dates.
The main intakes are fall (late August) and spring (January).
You'll need an F-1 visa. Once you accept your offer and send proof of funding, West Chester University issues the Form I-20. After that it's the SEVIS fee, the DS-160 form and an interview at a US embassy or consulate.
Computer science, accounting, nursing, the MS in computer science and the MBA are popular. Undergraduates need a strong secondary school record and IELTS 6.0. Graduate applicants need a relevant bachelor's degree and IELTS 6.5.
WCU has some scholarships for international undergraduates. Graduate assistantships exist in a number of departments. Awards are limited, so budget for full costs.
