About Westminster College
Westminster College builds teachers and musicians in the hills of western Pennsylvania. This Presbyterian liberal arts college enrolls 1,051 students on a rural campus where music education and teacher preparation programs draw students from across the region. About 71% of students come from Pennsylvania, creating a close-knit community where everyone knows each other's name.
The financial picture tells a promising story for middle-class families. Students pay an average net price of $20,800 after aid, making this private education surprisingly affordable. Graduates earn a median of $53,861 ten years after graduation, while carrying typical debt of $26,060. Monthly loan payments average just $276, a manageable burden given the employment rate of 96%. Nearly 30% of students receive institutional grants averaging $28,744, showing the college's commitment to affordability.
Athletics define much of campus life here. With 505 athletes competing in 22 varsity sports, nearly half the student body plays Division III athletics in the Presidents' Athletic Conference. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know their students personally, whether they're future teachers perfecting lesson plans or music majors preparing for senior recitals. The 84% retention rate reflects students who find their fit in this small-town college atmosphere.
The financial picture tells a promising story for middle-class families. Students pay an average net price of $20,800 after aid, making this private education surprisingly affordable. Graduates earn a median of $53,861 ten years after graduation, while carrying typical debt of $26,060. Monthly loan payments average just $276, a manageable burden given the employment rate of 96%. Nearly 30% of students receive institutional grants averaging $28,744, showing the college's commitment to affordability.
Athletics define much of campus life here. With 505 athletes competing in 22 varsity sports, nearly half the student body plays Division III athletics in the Presidents' Athletic Conference. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know their students personally, whether they're future teachers perfecting lesson plans or music majors preparing for senior recitals. The 84% retention rate reflects students who find their fit in this small-town college atmosphere.
Academics & Faculty
Westminster College operates as a Presbyterian liberal arts college where students explore broad-based education alongside specialized training. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio ensures professors know students personally and can provide individualized mentoring. The college built its reputation on music education and teacher preparation programs that have produced educators across Pennsylvania for decades. About 64% of students graduate within four years, reflecting the close-knit academic environment where faculty track student progress closely. The liberal arts foundation means students take courses across disciplines before focusing on their major. Small class sizes allow for discussion-based learning rather than large lecture halls. The Presbyterian heritage emphasizes service learning and ethical reasoning throughout the curriculum.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 59.7%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 63.9%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 65.9%
- Retention Rate
- 83.3%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $53,861
- Carnegie Classification
- Liberal Arts College
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $57,318 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $53,775 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $43,798 |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Master | $41,937 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $38,649 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $37,208 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor | $35,600 |
| Education, Other. | Bachelor | $34,847 |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $32,925 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $32,711 |
Campus Life
Westminster's 1,051 students live in rural western Pennsylvania, about an hour north of Pittsburgh. The rolling hills and small-town setting mean you'll need a good winter coat for snowy Pennsylvania winters. Nearly all students live on campus, with housing capacity at 1,005 in traditional residence halls and newer apartment-style buildings.
The 22 varsity sports teams draw 505 student-athletes, creating a campus where nearly half the student body competes in Division III athletics. Football games and basketball in the Activities Center anchor weekend social life. The Presidents' Athletic Conference rivalries, particularly with Grove City College, generate genuine excitement. Students often head to Pittsburgh for concerts or internships, but most weekends center around campus events, intramural sports, and tight-knit residence hall communities. The music education program brings frequent concerts and recitals to campus. Greek life exists but doesn't dominate social scenes. With 83% of freshmen returning sophomore year, the small-college atmosphere clearly clicks for most students seeking a close-knit Presbyterian community.
The 22 varsity sports teams draw 505 student-athletes, creating a campus where nearly half the student body competes in Division III athletics. Football games and basketball in the Activities Center anchor weekend social life. The Presidents' Athletic Conference rivalries, particularly with Grove City College, generate genuine excitement. Students often head to Pittsburgh for concerts or internships, but most weekends center around campus events, intramural sports, and tight-knit residence hall communities. The music education program brings frequent concerts and recitals to campus. Greek life exists but doesn't dominate social scenes. With 83% of freshmen returning sophomore year, the small-college atmosphere clearly clicks for most students seeking a close-knit Presbyterian community.
- Setting
- Rural-Distant
- Housing Capacity
- 1,005 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1851
Campus Safety (2023)
6 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arson | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Rape | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Stalking | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 19°–36°F
- July Avg
- 60°–85°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 41.8"
- Annual Snowfall
- 27.5"
Student Demographics
Westminster draws primarily from Pennsylvania families who value its Presbyterian heritage and strong teacher preparation programs. The student body of 1,051 is 71% in-state, reflecting the college's solid regional reputation rather than national recognition. Nearly one in four students receives Pell Grants, showing Westminster serves middle-class families seeking affordable private education. The slight female majority aligns with the college's emphasis on education and music programs, fields that traditionally attract more women. Students typically come from small towns and suburbs, drawn to Westminster's rural campus and close-knit community atmosphere.
- Men
- 48.1%
- Women
- 52.0%
- White
- 79.7%
- Black
- 5.8%
- Hispanic
- 4.2%
- Asian
- 1.0%
- In-State Students
- 70.8%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 24.7%
Location
Westminster College sits in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, roughly 60 miles northwest of Pittsburgh. The campus occupies 300 acres in Lawrence County's rural farmland and rolling hills. New Wilmington feels like a classic small college town where the 1,051 students make up a significant portion of the local population. The area offers outdoor recreation opportunities with nearby lakes and state parks, though students need a car to reach larger shopping or entertainment options. The rural-distant setting creates a tight-knit campus community but limits internship and job opportunities compared to urban schools. Students considering colleges in Pennsylvania may also compare Westminster College with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- New Wilmington, Pennsylvania 16172
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $53,861
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $53,025
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $36,000
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 79.9%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $276/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $26,060
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Westminster College?
Westminster College accepts 75.28% of applicants, making it moderately selective for a private liberal arts institution. The school draws most of its 1,051 students from Pennsylvania, with 70.79% coming from in-state.
How much does Westminster College cost after financial aid?
The average net price is $20,800, lower than the sticker price of $39,470 for tuition. Students from lower-income families pay even less, with those from families earning under $30,000 paying just $19,065 annually.
What is Westminster College known for academically?
Westminster College maintains a 12:1 student-faculty ratio that supports its reputation for strong music education and teacher preparation programs. The Presbyterian-affiliated school has been educating students in rural Pennsylvania since 1851.
What are the graduation rates at Westminster College?
Westminster College graduates 65.90% of students within six years and 63.91% within four years. The 83.28% retention rate shows most students who start here choose to stay through their sophomore year.
Where do Westminster College students live on campus?
The college has housing capacity for 1,005 students, nearly matching its total enrollment of 1,051. This creates a tight-knit residential community where almost all students live on the rural New Wilmington campus.
How strong are athletics at Westminster College?
Westminster College competes in NCAA Division III with 22 varsity sports and 505 total athletes. Nearly half the student body participates in athletics, though the school offers no athletic scholarships as a Division III institution.
