This page includes helpful information for the WPU consumer, most notably parents and students. Below, you will find detailed and up-to-date information on the following:
- Diversity
- Degree Programs
- Graduation Rates
- Retention Rates
- Job Placement Rates
- Student Handbook & Policies
- Title IX
COVID-19 Related Support | HEERF /CARES Act
William Peace University was pleased to offer students the opportunity to receive financial assistance through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds, as part of the CARES Act. As required by the Department of Education, WPU signed and returned the Certification and Agreement to the Department of Education. WPU intends to use no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
For HEERF I grants, students had to complete a request for funds, providing documentation of their expenses related to the COVID-19 disruption. Students were required to be enrolled in at least one in-person course at WPU as of March 13, 2020 and have a hardship or expense that was related to COVID-19. HEERF II was based on an equal distribution plan that focused on the neediest students. Criteria was based on spring 2021 enrollment of one credit hour or greater and an expected family contribution (EFC) less than or equal to $10,000. HEERF II was based on an equal distribution of $1250 to each eligible student. HEERF III was distributed based on a tiered awarding system that allowed for equitable distribution of funds to all enrolled students based on EFC and credit hours that focused on and prioritized the neediest students. HEERF III grants ranged from $200 – $3000. William Peace University sent correspondence to each recipient, via email, indicating that the funds will be available within 10 business days either by direct deposit or check. Instructions for direct deposit setup was included in the correspondence.
The total amount of funds that the institution has received from the Department of Education for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students is $2,430,742. The University has distributed Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students as emergency grants under the CARES Act broken up by the following quarters: $272,827 between 3/13/20-6/30/20 (to 76 students, 855 were eligible to apply); $201,940 between 7/1/20-9/30/20 (to 51 students, 855 were eligible to apply); $11,767 between 10/1/20-12/31/20 (to 6 students, 855 were eligible to apply); $516,170 between 1/1/21-3/31/21 (to 409 students, out of 409 eligible students); $3,634 between 4/1/21-6/30/21 (to 3 students, out of 3 eligible students); and $1,346,030 between 7/1/21-9/30/21 (to 703 students, out of 709 eligible students); $3,000 between 10/1/21-12/31/21 (to 5 students out of 5 eligible); $66,874 between 1/1/22-3/31/22 (to 25 students out of 720 eligible), and $8500 between 4/1/22-6/30/22 (to 7 students out of 209 eligible). A total of 940 individual students received HEERF grants during the quarters reported.
The institution received $2,985,871 under Section 18004(a)(1) for the institutional portion of the law and $238,623 under Section 18004(a)(2) under the Strengthening Institutions Program of the law. See quarterly reports as follows:
Quarter Ending 6/30/20 reporting
Quarter Ending 9/30/20 reporting
Quarter Ending 12/31/20 reporting
Quarter Ending 3/31/21 reporting
Quarter Ending 6/30/21 reporting
Quarter Ending 9/30/21 reporting
Quarter Ending 12/31/21 reporting
Student Body Diversity
In the fall of 2020, total enrollment was 830, including both traditional undergraduates and professional adults enrolled in the School of Professional Studies (SPS).
Traditional Undergraduate
Of the traditional undergraduate population, 48% were female and 52% were male. Of traditional day students, roughly 22% were Black, non-Hispanic; <1% American Indian/Alaska Native; 2% Asian/Pacific Islander; 13% Hispanic; 53% White, non-Hispanic; <1% Unknown; and <1% Nonresident alien.
School of Professional Studies
Of professional adults enrolled in SPS, 79% were female and 21% were male. Of professional adults, roughly 35% were Black, non-Hispanic; <1% American Indian/Alaska Native; 1% Asian/Pacific Islander; 8% Hispanic; 53% White, non-Hispanic; <1% Unknown; and <1% Nonresident alien.
Degree Programs
Programs that blend academia with applications in the professional world enable you to build knowledge in the subject matter while also gaining relevant skills. Choose a Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program in any of 31 majors. Or, if you are an adult student with competing obligations, the School of Professional Studies offers flexible options for you to begin or continue your college education.
View A Complete List of Degree Programs
Student Achievement
WPU monitors several metrics to demonstrate success with respect to student achievement.
View Student Achievement Information
Completion/Graduation Rates
William Peace University’s graduation rates for students entering in 2013 are*:
- 4-year graduation rate: 31%
- 6-year graduation rate: 42%
*updated according to IPEDS report scheduling
Retention Rate
- Retention of first-time, full-time, degree seeking undergraduates for those students entering fall of 2019 was 74%
- Retention of first-time, full-time, degree seeking undergraduates for those students entering fall of 2018 was 66%
- Retention of first-time, full-time, degree seeking undergraduates for those students entering fall of 2017 was 65%
Placement in Employment
The WPU Office of Career Services annually reports further education/job placement information. Methodology is filed with the following departments: Office of Student Services, Office of Academic Affairs, every Academic Major Program, and the Office of Institutional Effectiveness. Disclosures of placement rates for publications are provided to the Office of Communications and Marketing and the Office of Admissions by request.
Job Placement Rates
For the Class of 2019, 96% of WPU graduates from the traditional undergraduate program either gained employment or continued their education. Data was based on First Destination Survey data collected from 85% of 2019 graduates 12 months following graduation.
Information on methodology of placement rates is provided to the Office of Communications and Marketing and the Office of Admissions annually. Information given to prospective students and parents at Open Houses and as requested provides the methodology of data collection: i.e., data collected 12 months post-graduation with a response rate if written on all information from Career Services.
View WPU Teacher Licensure Approval
Cost, Scholarship & Financial Aid
Learn about the information and resources on Cost, Scholarship & Financial Aid
Student Handbook & Policies
WPU is committed to creating an educational and developmental process that balances the needs of the individual student with the needs of the community as a whole. By becoming a WPU student, you automatically consent to helping carry out our missions, vision, and values, which include upholding strong, ethical principles and personal character.
State Authorization
State Authorization is a legal issue dealing with a college’s adherence to state requirements for colleges to secure authorization to offer instruction in that state. Compliance with individual state requirements is now part of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, Amended 2010. Colleges and universities offering distance education courses or programs are required to provide current and prospective students with the contact information for filing complaints with the educational institution, with its accrediting agency, and with the state agencies that handle complaints in students’ states of residence.
Students may reference the NC-SARA website to verify that William Peace University (WPU) is authorized to offer Distance Learning courses in their state. Registration of students from states not included in NC-SARA may require additional time and information so please allow additional time for this process.
Students residing outside of the State of North Carolina while taking online courses from WPU who desire to resolve an academic grievance or complaint should first follow WPU’s Student Complaint Process.
William Peace University Student Complaint Process
WPU undergraduate students who wish to resolve an academic grievance or complaint should first follow the university’s Student Complaint Process, as detailed in the Student Handbook. WPU’s Grievance Process and Form is available online.
Miss Bobbie Cole, Director of Residence Life & Housing
15 E.Peace Street
Raleigh, NC 27604
bdcole@peace.edu
(919) 508-2014
North Carolina Post-Secondary Education Complaint Information
If the grievance cannot be resolved within the university, students may contact the Licensure Division of the University of North Carolina System Office, which serves as the official state entity to receive complaints concerning post-secondary institutions that are authorized to operate in North Carolina. After reviewing the complaint policy, students can complete a complaint form and submit it via mail at:
North Carolina Post-Secondary Education Complaints
c/o Student Complaints
University of North Carolina General Administration
910 Raleigh Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27515-2688
(919) 962-4550
Post-Secondary Education Complaints in North Carolina
Consumer Protection Division, North Carolina Department of Justice
To file a complaint with the Consumer Protection Division of the North Carolina Department of Justice, please visit the State Attorney General’s web page at: http://www.ncdoj.gov/
The online complaint form can be accessed at https://ncdoj.gov/file-a-
The mail-in form can be downloaded at
https://ncdoj.gov/download/16/
Consumer Protection Division
Attorney General’s Office
Mail Service Center 9001
Raleigh, NC 27699-9001
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Student Complaint Information
In the event that a complaint still has not been satisfactorily addressed, a complaint may next be filed with the university’s accrediting agency. William Peace University is accredited by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. After reviewing the complaint policies, procedures, and form, complainants may contact SACSCOC at:
1866 Southern Lane
Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097
404-679-4500
http://www.sacscoc.org/
State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement – North Carolina Complaint Information
Students may also contact the offices of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement – North Carolina (SARANC) via the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA), North Carolina’s portal entity for the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA). Upon reviewing the complaint process, students may complete the complaint form and submit it either via complaint@saranc.org or to:
SARA North Carolina Director
NCSEAA
P.O. Box 41349
Raleigh, NC 27629
(855) 727-2162 – toll free
(919) 248-4667 – local
(919) 248-6667 – fax
www.saranc.org
State-By-State Complaint Information
Students may also be able to pursue a complaint via agencies in their state of residence. For contact details, refer to the list below.
State-By-State Contact Information
For more information on professional licensure programs, please click here.