Arcadia vs. Ursinus College

Comparable Facts

Compare Arcadia University in Glenside, PA with Ursinus College in Collegeville, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Arcadia University is larger than Ursinus College based on total student enrollment (3,404 students vs. 1,502 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arcadia University is located in Glenside, PA (Large Suburban setting); Ursinus College is in Collegeville, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Arcadia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ursinus College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Arcadia University 10:1; Ursinus College 10:1.

Arcadia vs. Ursinus College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arcadia or Ursinus College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Arcadia University than Ursinus College ($30,037 vs. $32,158).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ursinus College are 0.9% lower than at Arcadia University ($17,028 vs. $17,180).
• Ursinus College is 23.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Arcadia (about $11,600 more per year; $61,210.00 vs. $49,610.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.4% higher at Ursinus College than at Arcadia University (about $11,600 more per year; $61,210.00 vs. $49,610.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ursinus College than at Arcadia University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ursinus College students is 29% larger than aid received by Arcadia University students ($44,754 vs. $34,705).

Arcadia vs. Ursinus College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arcadia or Ursinus College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Ursinus College and Arcadia.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ursinus College (1290) is 120 points higher than at Arcadia (1170).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arcadia University 1065/1265; Ursinus College 1200/1385.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUrsinus College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Arcadia - Test optional; Ursinus College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Ursinus College May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Ursinus College students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Arcadia (3.42).
• Ursinus College has a higher acceptance rate (91.8%) than Arcadia (80.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.4% at Arcadia vs. 12.5% at Ursinus College.

Arcadia vs. Ursinus College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Arcadia and Ursinus College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Ursinus College's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than Arcadia University's (62%).
• Graduates from Ursinus College earn a median of about $11,600 more per year than Arcadia graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,000 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ursinus College and Arcadia graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Ursinus College and Arcadia graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Ursinus College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Arcadia students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 69%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.