Arcadia vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Arcadia University in Glenside, PA with West Chester University of Pennsylvania in West Chester, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

West Chester University of Pennsylvania is larger than Arcadia based on total student enrollment (17,171 students vs. 3,404 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arcadia University is located in Glenside, PA (Large Suburban setting); West Chester University of Pennsylvania is in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Arcadia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Arcadia University 10:1; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1.

Arcadia vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arcadia or WCU? 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 West Chester University of Pennsylvania than Arcadia ($22,546 vs. $30,037).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania are 13.7% lower than at Arcadia University ($14,828 vs. $17,180).
• Arcadia University is 360.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $38,835 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $10,775.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 119.5% higher at Arcadia than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (about $27,011 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $22,599.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Arcadia University than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (99% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Arcadia University students is 507.9% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($34,705 vs. $5,709).

Arcadia vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arcadia or WCU? 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 WCU and Arcadia.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (1190) is 20 points higher than at Arcadia (1170).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arcadia University 1065/1265; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWest Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Arcadia - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at Arcadia (3.42).
• Arcadia has a higher acceptance rate (80.2%) than WCU (78.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.4% at Arcadia vs. 22.4% at WCU.

Arcadia vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Arcadia and WCU? 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).

• West Chester University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Arcadia University's (62%).
• Graduates from West Chester University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than Arcadia graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Chester University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Arcadia graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Arcadia graduates ($242 vs. $279).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Arcadia students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.