Private For-Profit Graduate Good 56/100

Westcliff University

See admissions data, costs, student outcomes, and academic programs, all verified from official US government sources.

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Irvine, California

About Westcliff University

Westcliff University is a private for-profit institution offering graduate degrees based in Irvine, California. It enrolls 2,363 students (a mid-sized student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.

Acceptance
73.2%
Graduation
Net Price
$35,426
Median Earnings (10yr)
Enrollment
2,363
Student : Faculty
10:1

Accreditor Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Academic Calendar Other Academic Year

How It Measures Up

US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.

Good
56/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes 48
Value
Affordability 5
Selectivity 56

Admissions & Acceptance Rate

With an acceptance rate of 73.2%, Westcliff University is moderately selective.

Acceptance Rate
73.2%
Moderate
SAT Range (25th–75th)
Not reported
ACT Range (25th–75th)
Not reported
Test Policy Test Optional Applicants choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores.

5-Year Admission Trend

Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether Westcliff University is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.

Getting more selective 44.5 pts since 2019
89.6%201971.6%202065.1%202167.4%202245.1%2023

Cost & Financial Aid

The real cost of attending Westcliff University isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $35,426 per year. That's above the typical net price for private for-profit colleges nationally.

Average Net Price
$35,426
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
6%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
6%
Borrowing to attend

Full Cost Breakdown

Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.

Tuition & Fees
$17,670
Room & Board (off-campus)
$19,632
Books & Supplies
$1,062
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$6,160
Total Cost of Attendance
$44,210

Application fee: $50 (one-time, due at submission)


Net Price by Family Income

Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.

  • Under $30,000
    $24,253
  • $30,001 – $48,000
    $33,829
  • $48,001 – $75,000
    $35,913
  • $75,001 – $110,000
    $36,031
  • Over $110,000
    $40,799

Debt at Graduation

Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.

$23,750
Median percentile

Median Debt by Student Type

Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.

GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $7,500 ↓ $16,250
No Pell $7,016 ↓ $16,734
Dependent students $6,500 ↓ $17,250
Independent students $15,625 ↓ $8,125
Female students $6,531 ↓ $17,219
Male students $7,500 ↓ $16,250
Pell recipients: 14.8% (3,515 students)No Pell: 13.8% (3,288 students)Dependent students: 12.8% (3,047 students)Independent students: 30.8% (7,323 students)Female students: 12.9% (3,061 students)Male students: 14.8% (3,515 students)Overall Median$23,750
Worth knowing: Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $5,500, less than completers ($23,750), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.

Graduation Rate & Retention

73% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.

6-Year Graduation Rate
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
73%
Returning for their second year

Who Studies Here

Westcliff University is home to 2,363 students, a mid-sized community.

Total Enrolled
2,363
Part-Time
32%
First-Generation

Race & Ethnicity Breakdown

Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.

GroupShareStudents
International 9.3% 219
White 5.4% 128
Black 3.4% 80
Other 2.8% 67
Hispanic 2.3% 55
Asian 1.4% 32
International: 9.3% (219 students)White: 5.4% (128 students)Black: 3.4% (80 students)Other: 2.8% (67 students)Hispanic: 2.3% (55 students)Asian: 1.4% (32 students)Total2,363

Student Life & Campus Culture

Where students live, learn, and connect at Westcliff University. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.

Setting
Large City Irvine, California
Housing
Commuter campus No on-campus housing
Adult Learners
8% of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAA athletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Other Academic Year scheduling structure

What You Can Study

Westcliff University offers a varied set of programs: 29 distinct programs across 9 majors. Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings. Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.

12 Programs
5 Programs
1 Program
  • Law $143K ($74K–$297K)
2 Programs
1 Program
2 Programs
1 Program

Faculty & Resources

The student-to-faculty ratio at Westcliff University is 10:1, low (small classes, more faculty contact).

Student : Faculty
10:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Avg Faculty Salary
$67,740
9-month equivalent across all ranks

Faculty by Rank

37 instructional faculty across 3 ranks. The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.

Rank Faculty Count Share Avg Salary
Full Professors 24 65% $69,087
Associate Professors 3 8% $72,750
Assistant Professors 10 27% $62,156

Pros & Cons of Westcliff University

A quick at-a-glance summary of how Westcliff University tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.

PROS
  • Small classes (low student-faculty ratio)
CONS
  • High net price compared to most US colleges
  • Modest first-year retention
  • Most students don't qualify for need-based federal aid
  • For-profit institution, verify accreditation and outcomes carefully

Frequently Asked Questions about Westcliff University

Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Westcliff University.

Is Westcliff University hard to get into?
Admissions at Westcliff University are moderately competitive. The acceptance rate is 73.2%, so most applicants who meet the academic minimums are admitted.
What is the acceptance rate at Westcliff University?
Westcliff University has an acceptance rate of 73.2%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
How much does Westcliff University cost?
The average net price after aid at Westcliff University is $35,426 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is Westcliff University known for?
Westcliff University is best known for its programs in Business Administration, Business Administration, Information Systems. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is Westcliff University accredited?
Yes. Westcliff University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission.
How many students attend Westcliff University?
Westcliff University enrolls 2,363 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
Is Westcliff University a public or private college?
Westcliff University is a Private For-Profit institution.
Where is Westcliff University located?
Westcliff University is located in Irvine, California.
What programs does Westcliff University offer?
Westcliff University offers 29 distinct programs. The most popular include Business Administration, Business Administration, Information Systems.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Westcliff University?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Westcliff University is 10:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.

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