Kutztown University of Pennsylvania (KUP) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

One of the most rapidly growing universities in Pennsylvania, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, referred to by most of its students and alumni as simply Kutztown University or KU, is best known for its visual and performing arts program. The university was established in 1866, and took on its current name in the 1960s, when its curriculum began to encompass more subjects than simply education studies. A rural college campus located in the small town of Kutztown, the school has expansion in its future, with a larger student body than ever before, as well as the construction of new buildings on campus, including a larger residence hall for those students who live on campus.

Information Summary

Ranks 62nd in Pennsylvania and 726th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	83.8
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$27,890
Admission Success rate	N/A
ACT / SAT 75%ile scores	24 / 1140
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	18 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	74% / N/A
Enrollment Total (all students)	8,290

Academics

Academics, like the rest of the school, are branching out. In addition to the visual and performing arts program and the education program, the university offers extensive programs in business, as well as a well-rounded liberal arts degree. In total, the school offers a large number of degrees, including a Bachelor of Science in 30 different subjects, a Bachelor of Arts in 24 different subjects, a Bachelor of Fine Arts in three different subjects, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. For graduate students, master’s degrees are offered in 18 different subjects.

The College of Visual and Performing Arts is one of its most popular programs of study, with aspiring performing and visual arts high school students from around the country applying to make up a diverse student body. The college offers degrees in music, speech, theatre, crafts, studio art, and communication design, as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Art Education. Students doing their course of study at the College of Visual and Performing Arts often are able to take part in internships and special programs offered by the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts and other state-wide organizations designed to put more of an emphasis on arts and learning.

The oldest college on campus is the College of Education, which offers degrees in Art, Music, Elementary Education, Library Science, Special Education, and Instruction Technology and Counseling. The College of Education also provides its students with the opportunity to become certified. Classes are based out of the Beekly Education Building on campus.

The College of Business, while smaller than the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the College of Visual and Performing Arts, nonetheless provides Bachelor of Science degrees in a number of different business fields of study, including Marketing, Management, Accounting, Finance, and International Business for our growing global marketplace. The College of Business also offers an MBA program for interested students.

A free-wheeling but structured approach to academic and life-long learning can be seen through the classes given at the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, with a dizzying variety of degrees, including those in chemistry, modern language, psychology, physics, electronic media, anthropology, sociology, geography, and professional writing. There are a variety of resources available for students studying at the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, including an ecoplot for the environmental studies students. Much of the coursework is focused on independent research projects, where a single faculty advisor will give some hands-on attention to a student’s off-campus project in their field of expertise.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Admissions

A number of different types of applicants are accepted, from incoming freshmen who have never attended college to students who, for some reason or another, took a break from academia, never completed a degree, and are now returning. Freshmen applicants need to fill out the general application form and send it, along with a copy of their official high school transcript and SAT or ACT scores, to the office of admission for consideration. Certain majors, like Studio Art and Theater, require either additional portfolio work or an audition, so students applying in those fields should do a bit of research to prepare accordingly. Applications are generally due for incoming students by May 1 for the fall semester and November 1 for the spring semester.

Transfer students should complete all of the materials as incoming freshmen, but should also include their official college transcript, too. With a student body of 10,700 students total, including part-time and graduate students, admission is considered semi-selective.

Financial Aid

Both need-based and merit-based financial aid are possible. The easiest way for students to learn more about what it will take to finance their education is to call or set up an appointment with the Financial Aid Office. The school itself provides a number of grants, as well as Federal Work/Study programs for students in a variety of fields of work.

In addition to the numerous federal grants, the school offers a few different university scholarships, awarded both on the basis of financial need and academic or artistic achievement. It is important to have one’s FAFSA on file before the university can proceed with offering scholarships. The school also offers a few athletic scholarships each year.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 2673rd for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Pennsylvania.

Students

With a recently built residence hall making ten altogether, most students live on campus. All residence halls, be they the co-ed dorms or the apartment-style complex, are equipped for the 21st century, with cable TV and high-speed Internet.

Student life on campus is rich with options, with over 170 student organizations, including various advisory councils and bustling Greek life. There are clubs in the performing arts, social justice, sports, and campus media. The campus Student Union includes a bookstore, snack bar, movie theater, coffeehouse, cyberlounge, and TV lounge for student use.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Athletics

Team spirit is alive and well here, with 13 women’s and eight men’s intercollegiate sports teams. In addition to those teams competing in Division II NCAA leagues, there are a variety of different club sports for athletically inclined students. The eight men’s intercollegiate sports teams are baseball, cross country, football, basketball, tennis, wrestling, and indoor and outdoor track and field. The women’s sports teams include swimming, tennis, golf, soccer, bowling, volleyball, and basketball.

School colors are maroon and gold, and the school’s mascots are the Golden Bears. Among some of the athletic facilities on campus are a recreation center, complete with racquetball courts, a climbing wall, and various gymnasiums. There is also a football field, swimming pool, tennis and basketball courts, and various fields for sporting events.

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania