Arcadia vs. Westminster College

Comparable Facts

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

Arcadia University is larger than Westminster College based on total student enrollment (3,404 students vs. 1,191 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arcadia University is located in Glenside, PA (Large Suburban setting); Westminster College is in New Wilmington, PA (Town Fringe setting).
• Arcadia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Westminster College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Arcadia University 10:1; Westminster College 12:1.

Arcadia vs. Westminster College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arcadia or Westminster 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 Westminster College than Arcadia ($20,394 vs. $30,037).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Westminster College are 25% lower than at Arcadia University ($12,880 vs. $17,180).
• Arcadia University is 23.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Westminster College (about $9,320 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $40,290.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.1% higher at Arcadia than at Westminster College (about $9,320 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $40,290.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Westminster College than at Arcadia University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Arcadia University students is 6.6% larger than aid received by Westminster College students ($34,705 vs. $32,553).

Arcadia vs. Westminster College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arcadia or Westminster 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 Westminster College and Arcadia.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Arcadia University (1170) is 20 points higher than at Westminster College (1150).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arcadia University 1065/1265; Westminster College 1040/1258.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestminster College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Arcadia - Test optional; Westminster College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Westminster College students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Arcadia (3.42).
• Westminster College has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than Arcadia (80.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.4% at Arcadia vs. 12.1% at Westminster College.

Arcadia vs. Westminster College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Arcadia and Westminster 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).

• Westminster College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Arcadia University's (62%).
• Graduates from Arcadia University earn a median of about $700 more per year than Westminster College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Westminster College and Arcadia graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Westminster College and Arcadia graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Westminster College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Arcadia students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.