Acceptance Rate
93%
Avg. SAT
1270
75th percentile
“Quiet Pennsylvania liberal arts college forever linked to Winston Churchill's Iron Curtain speech.”
New Wilmington, PA
Location
Rural
Campus Setting
Westminster College traces its roots to 1852, when Presbyterians founded it as a liberal arts school in the rolling hills of western Pennsylvania. Its global moment came in 1946, when Winston Churchill delivered his 'Sinews of Peace' address here, coining the phrase 'Iron Curtain' and putting this small campus on the world stage. The college maintains a close connection to its Presbyterian heritage, emphasizing character development alongside academics. Students who thrive here seek a tight-knit community where professors know their names and classmates become lifelong friends; those craving urban energy or large lecture halls might feel isolated. New Wilmington offers a sleepy rural village vibe with a population under 2,000, meaning you'll drive 50 miles to Pittsburgh for big-city outings, but the tradeoff brings peaceful study spots and lower off-campus distractions.
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Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
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Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Degree Levels Offered
With around 1,300 undergraduates, Westminster delivers small classes where discussion drives learning rather than rote lectures. Standout programs include neuroscience, one of the earliest undergraduate offerings in the field, business through the McKelvey School, and music with performance opportunities in ensembles. Research pairs students with faculty on projects, often leading to conference presentations, though popular majors like business fill quickly and require solid grades to switch in. You'll encounter a supportive intellectual environment focused on writing and critical thinking, but the rural setting limits access to big-city internships until summer.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
1,137 undergrad • 54 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
White
74%
Black / African American
5%
Hispanic / Latino
4%
Asian
1%
Other / Multi-racial
16%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
New Wilmington, PA
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
Campus life revolves around residence halls where over 90% of students live, creating a residential feel with events like movie nights and intramural sports filling weekdays. Weekends mix low-key gatherings, coffeehouse performances, and trips to Pittsburgh for concerts or Steelers games; the social scene stays mellow without a dominant party culture. Traditions include the annual Churchill Lecture series, tying back to that historic speech, and homecoming parades through the village. Cold, snowy winters test your resolve for outdoor activities, but the compact campus makes getting around easy even in bad weather. The high cost of tuition pairs with a modest campus-town cost of living, keeping expenses predictable if you stay close.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
Presidents' Athletic Conference
ROTC & Veteran Support
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Credit for military training
Yes
Dedicated point of contact for veteran support services
Yes
Member of DoD Voluntary Educational Partnership MOU
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
Net Annual Cost by Household Income
Household Income
Avg. Net Cost
$0 – $30K
$14,065
$30K – $48K
$16,212
$48K – $75K
$17,031
$75K – $110K
$21,994
$110K+
$24,523
Apply for Financial Aid
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Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
81%
4 Years Graduation Rate
71%
6 Years Graduation Rate
77%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$53,861
81% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at Westminster College and return in the fall. 71% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 77% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
71%
4-6 years
6%
Non-grad
23%
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Key Statistics
Type
Private
Tuition
$38,000
Acceptance
93%
Undergrads
1,137
4-Year Grad Rate
71%
Endowment
$132M
New Wilmington, PA 16172