ASU vs. WCU

Should I go to Appalachian State University or West Chester University of Pennsylvania? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if ASU or WCU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Appalachian State University vs. West Chester University of Pennsylvania comparison
Appalachian State University West Chester University of Pennsylvania College 3 College 4
Appalachian State University West Chester University of Pennsylvania
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Overview

 ASU WCU
Location Boone, NC West Chester, PA
Setting Distant Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 20,436 17,275
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #594 #496
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website appstate.edu wcupa.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 ASU WCU
Tuition (In State) $4,242 $7,716
Tuition (Out of State) $20,246 $19,290
Room & Board $11,582 $14,228
Avg Net Price $13,084 $22,973
Avg Grant Aid $7,443 $5,443
% Receiving Grant Aid 47% 64%

Admission

 ASU WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 22,255 14,778
Admitted 18,489 12,982
Acceptance Rate 83.1% 87.8%
Enrolled % 21.2% 23.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.96 3.43
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Average Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 23/30
SAT Range 1100/1270 1080/1260
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Feb 1, 2025

Academics

 ASU WCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (17%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • English and Literature (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)

Outcomes

 ASU WCU
Graduation Rate 65% 68%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,600 $49,000
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,500 $23,500
Median Loan Payment $211 $242

Diversity

 ASU WCU
% Men 42% 39%
% Women 58% 61%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 85% 78%
% Black 3% 11%
% Hispanic 4% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 1% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

 ASU WCU
% In-State 87% 87%
% Out-of-State 13% 12%

Campus

 ASU WCU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Appalachian State University is larger than than WCU based on total student enrollment (20,436 students vs. 17,275 students)

ASU vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ASU or WCU?

  • West Chester University of Pennsylvania is 81.9% more expensive to attend than ASU for in-state tuition ($7,716.00 vs. $4,242.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 5% higher at ASU than West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($20,246.00 vs. $19,290.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Appalachian State University than WCU ($13,084 vs. $22,973)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Appalachian State University are 22.8% lower than costs at West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($11,582 vs. $14,228)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at West Chester University of Pennsylvania than Appalachian State University (64% vs. 47%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Appalachian State University students is 36.7% larger than aid received West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($7,443 vs. $5,443)

ASU vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ASU or WCU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between WCU or ASU .

  • The average SAT score at Appalachian State University (1157) is 85 points higher than at WCU (1072)
  • Incoming ASU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at WCU (24)
  • Accepted freshman ASU students have a 0.53 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at WCU (3.43)
  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than ASU (83.1%)

ASU vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, ASU or WCU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between WCU and ASU.

  • The graduation rate at WCU is higher than Appalachian State University (68% vs. 65%)
  • Graduates from West Chester University of Pennsylvania earn on average $7,400 more per year than ASU graduates after ten years. ($49,000 vs. $41,600)
  • Appalachian State University students graduate with a $3,000 lower median federal student loan debt than WCU graduates. ($20,500 vs. $23,500)
  • ASU graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans than WCU graduates. ($211 vs. $242)
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ASU students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 74%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/