Arcadia vs. W&J

Comparable Facts

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

Arcadia University is larger than W&J based on total student enrollment (3,404 students vs. 1,309 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arcadia University is located in Glenside, PA (Large Suburban setting); Washington & Jefferson College is in Washington, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Arcadia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington & Jefferson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Arcadia University 10:1; Washington & Jefferson College 11:1.

Arcadia vs. W&J Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arcadia or W&J? 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 Washington & Jefferson College than Arcadia ($22,702 vs. $30,037).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Washington & Jefferson College are 14.4% lower than at Arcadia University ($14,710 vs. $17,180).
• Arcadia University is 68.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than W&J (about $20,218 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $29,392.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 68.8% higher at Arcadia than at Washington & Jefferson College (about $20,218 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $29,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington & Jefferson College than at Arcadia University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Arcadia University students is 72.2% larger than aid received by Washington & Jefferson College students ($34,705 vs. $20,152).

Arcadia vs. W&J Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arcadia or W&J? 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 W&J and Arcadia.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Arcadia University (1170) is 40 points higher than at W&J (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arcadia University 1065/1265; Washington & Jefferson College 1010/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWashington & Jefferson College 19/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Arcadia - Test optional; W&J - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman W&J students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at Arcadia (3.42).
• W&J has a higher acceptance rate (80.6%) than Arcadia (80.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.4% at Arcadia vs. 12.6% at W&J.

Arcadia vs. W&J Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Arcadia and W&J? 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).

• Washington & Jefferson College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Arcadia University's (62%).
• Graduates from Washington & Jefferson College earn a median of about $10,500 more per year than Arcadia graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Washington & Jefferson College and Arcadia graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Washington & Jefferson College and Arcadia graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More W&J graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Arcadia students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.