Wilson College was established in 1869 by Rev. James W. Wightman, and Rev. Tryon Edwards. It was named in honor of its benefactor, Sarah Wilson. This private, liberal arts institute for women has a 300-acre campus in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.
Wilson College offers more than 25 majors, and over 30 minors. Students can choose from courses in accounting, elementary education, veterinary medical technology, environmental studies, foreign language, equestrian studies, sports science, fine arts, and international studies as well as others.
The athletics teams of Wilson College, which are known as the Phoenix, participate in field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, basketball, tennis, and gymnastics. The college's athletics department is a member of the North Eastern Athletic Conference, and the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
Wilson College is located in Chambersburg, PA (a town not far from a more urbanized area). The school is a Presbyterian Church (USA) school. Wilson College is a private, not-for-profit institution. The highest degree level offered by the school is the Master's degree.
Wilson College is known for its programs in animal science and care and art studies.
The school does not offer open admission. Wilson College admitted just 55% of applicants in 2007-2008. Three quarters of students in 2007-2008 had SAT verbal scores of at least 460. Half of math SAT scores of accepted students fell between 420 and 540.
Wilson College maintains a faculty/student ratio (full-time) which is better than most colleges. The school has a tenure system for senior faculty.
Wilson College had 724 enrolled students in 2007-2008. A very high share of students at the school are female.
Wilson College has a residential or campus feel. The school offers dorm rooms to a higher percentage of its students than do most colleges. Wilson College offers students meal plans. The school values student athletics, and belongs to the Other.
The school reports its educational mission is:
"Wilson is an independent college dedicated to the education of women, rigorous study in the liberal arts and sciences, and strong career preparation. Wilson is committed to the life of the mind and spirit, to environmental sustainability, and to preparing articulate, ethical leaders who will serve their communities and professions effectively in an increasingly complex, interdependent and global world. The College is distinguished by its supportive, diverse and close-knit community, which is guided by the Wilson Honor Principle.
Approved by the Board of Trustees, May 11, 2002"
More complete details are provided below.
Wilson College
1015 Philadelphia Ave
Chambersburg, PA 17201-1285
General Phone: (717) 264-4141
http://www.wilson.edu
| General Category | Degrees | Most Common Majors [see all] |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Support and Technology | 23 | veterinary assistant |
| Business and Management | 18 | business management, accounting, marketing, MIS |
| Liberal Arts | 11 | English, international relations, sociology, liberal arts and sciences, French language, Spanish language, social services |
| Animal Science and Care | 9 | equestrian studies |
| Therapy and Counseling | 8 | psychology, behavioral sciences, psychobiology |
| Education and Teaching | 8 | elementary school teaching, early childhood education |
| Nutrition and Exercise Therapy | 6 | rehabilitation, exercise science |
| Mathematics | 4 | mathematics |
| Science | 4 | biology, chemistry |
| Art Studies | 3 | art studies |
| Religion and Philosophy | 3 | religion, philosophy and religious studies |
| Law | 1 | legal assistant |
| Media | 1 | mass communication |
| Conservation and Resource Management | 0 | environmental studies |
Number of programs and degrees for Wilson College in 2008-2009:
| Degree Level | Total Awarded | Number of Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | 89 | 25 |
| Associate's degree | 10 | 10 |
In 2007-2008, Wilson College had a total enrollment of 724 students (526 full-time equivalent).
Students in the Freshman Class:
| Group | Percent |
|---|---|
| Men | 0% |
| Women | 100% |
| Full-Time | 100% |
| Part-Time | 0% |
Students By Class:
| Group | Percent |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 98% |
| Graduate | 2% |
| Race | Percent |
|---|---|
| White | 86% |
| Black | 4% |
| Hispanic | 2% |
| Asian | 0% |
| American Indian | 0% |
| Unknown | 3% |
| (Foreign Students) | 5% |
Students by Age:
| Age | Percent |
|---|---|
| Under 18 | 2% |
| 18-19 | 18% |
| 20-21 | 17% |
| 22-24 | 14% |
| 25-29 | 13% |
| 30-34 | 9% |
| 35-39 | 10% |
| 40-49 | 13% |
| 50-64 | 4% |
Incoming (Freshman) Students by Place of Residence:
(From available data sampling)
| Residence | Percent |
|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 54% |
| Maryland | 19% |
| (International Students) | 6% |
| New Jersey | 5% |
| Virginia | 4% |
| Massachusetts | 2% |
| New York | 2% |
| West Virginia | 2% |
| New Hampshire | 1% |
| Illinois | 1% |
| Vermont | 1% |
| North Carolina | 1% |
Retention Rates (2007):
| Group | Returning From Previous Year |
|---|---|
| Full-Time | 61 % |
| Part-Time | 100 % |
Wilson College offers campus housing for 500 of its 526 (full-time) students.
(Please refer to our profile of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania for details about the area surrounding the campus. Also see our list of other Pennsylvania Colleges).
The school offers students a meal plan with 19 meals per week.
Acceptances:
| Group | Applicants | Accepted | Percent Accepted | Enrolled | Percent of Accepted Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 477 | 262 | 55% | 91 | 35% |
| Women | 477 | 262 | 55% | 91 | 35% |
Standardized Test Scores:
| Test | 25th Percentile | 75th Percetile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT Verbal | 460 | 550 |
| SAT Math | 420 | 540 |
| SAT Writing | 430 | 540 |
| ACT Composite | 18 | 22 |
Application Requirements:
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| GPA | required |
| Class Rank | recommended |
| High School Record | required |
| College Prep Program | recommended |
| Recommendations | required |
| Formal Demonstration of Competence | not required |
| Standardized Tests (SAT and/or ACT) | required |
| Percent of Applicants Submitting SAT | 79% |
| Percent of Applicants Submitting ACT | 21% |
| TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) | required |
| Other Standardized Tests | not required |
Expenses and Financial Aid:
| Expense | Amount |
|---|---|
| In-state tuition and fees | $ 25,900 |
| Out-of-state tuition and fees | $ 25,900 |
| Room and board | $ 8,630 |
| Room charge | $ 4,470 |
| Board (meal plan) charge | $ 4,160 |
| Books and supplies | $ 1,000 |
| Other expenses | $ 1,200 |
Financial Aid:
Wilson College participates in Federal Title IV financial aid programs. (The school's OPE ID is 339600)
Wilson College has a tenure system for faculty.
Salaries for full-time faculty:
Full-Time Faculty (2008-2009):
| Full-Time Faculty Level | Contract Length | Number Men | Avg Salary Men | Number Women | Avg Salary Women |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Associate professor | calendar year | 0 | * | 2 | * |
| Assistant professor | calendar year | 2 | * | 0 | * |
| All faculty total | calendar year | 2 | * | 2 | * |
*: salaries are not displayed where there are fewer than 3 professors in the category.
Full-Time Faculty (2008-2009):
| Full-Time Faculty Level | Contract Length | Number Men | Avg Salary Men | Number Women | Avg Salary Women |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professor | academic year | 2 | * | 5 | $68,315 |
| Associate professor | academic year | 9 | $56,559 | 6 | $56,419 |
| Assistant professor | academic year | 8 | $52,034 | 7 | $50,520 |
| Instructor | academic year | 0 | * | 2 | * |
| All faculty total | academic year | 19 | $55,848 | 20 | $55,724 |
*: salaries are not displayed where there are fewer than 3 professors in the category.
ANIMAL SCIENCE AND CARE
Equestrian/Equine Studies
ART STUDIES
Art/Art Studies, General
BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT
Accounting
Business Administration and Management, General
Management Information Systems, General
Marketing/Marketing Management, General
CONSERVATION AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Environmental Studies
EDUCATION AND TEACHING
Early Childhood Education and Teaching
Elementary Education and Teaching
LIBERAL ARTS
English Language and Literature, General
French Language and Literature
International Relations and Affairs
Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies
Social Sciences, General
Sociology
Spanish Language and Literature
MATHEMATICS
Mathematics, General
MEDIA
Mass Communication/Media Studies
MEDICAL SUPPORT AND TECHNOLOGY
Veterinary/Animal Health Technology/Technician/Veterinary Assistant
NUTRITION AND EXERCISE THERAPY
Kinesiology and Exercise Science
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions, Other
RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY
Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other
Religion/Religious Studies
SCIENCE
Biology/Biological Sciences, General
Chemistry, General
THERAPY AND COUNSELING
Behavioral Sciences
Physiological Psychology/Psychobiology
Psychology, General
(Details are provided further down on this page.)
What Sets Wilson College Apart:
| Category | Trophy | |
|---|---|---|
| Female % of student body (vs. colleges with similar degree levels) | Top 3% | ![]() ![]() |
| Dorm rooms per full-time student (vs. all colleges) | Top 5% | ![]() ![]() |
| % of degrees in art studies (vs. all colleges) | Top 5% | ![]() ![]() |
| % of full-time faculty on tenure track (vs. all colleges) | Top 8% | ![]() |
| Number of degree programs (vs. colleges of similar size) | Top 10% | ![]() |
| Faculty/student ratio (full-time) (vs. all colleges) | Top 10% | ![]() |
| % of degrees in animal science and care (vs. all colleges) | Top 15% | ![]() |
| % students 40 years or older (colleges not offering open-admission) | Top 19% | ![]() |
| Selectivity (based on % of applicants accepted) (vs. colleges with similar degree levels) | Top 19% | ![]() |
Notable:
Presbyterian Church (USA) affiliation
Accepts some high school credits
Offers credit for life experience
Grants credits for AP courses
Offers weekend classes
Career counseling
Student employment services
On-campus day care
Remedial classes for students
Option to study abroad
Offers part-time study
On-campus library
Offers campus housing
Offers a board (meal) plan
Tenure system for quality teaching
NCAA athletic conference member
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