PennWest California vs. West Liberty University

Should I go to PennWest California or West Liberty University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if PennWest California or West Liberty University 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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PennWest California vs. West Liberty University comparison
PennWest California West Liberty University College 3 College 4
PennWest California West Liberty University
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Overview

PennWest California West Liberty University
Location California, PA West Liberty, WV
Setting Town Fringe Rural Fringe
Enrollment 6,509 2,315
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #1033 #897
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website calu.edu westliberty.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

PennWest California West Liberty University
Tuition (In State) $7,716 $8,716
Tuition (Out of State) $11,574 $17,100
Room & Board $10,416 $10,020
Avg Net Price - $13,788
Avg Grant Aid $0 $5,824
% Receiving Grant Aid 0% 85%

Admission

PennWest California West Liberty University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied - 1,706
Admitted - 1,264
Acceptance Rate 74.1%
Enrolled % 34.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.31 3.53
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/24 6/9
SAT Range 940/1150 888/1130
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 22, 2025

Academics

PennWest California West Liberty University
Student to Faculty Ratio 19:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (15%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Health Professions (20%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

PennWest California West Liberty University
Graduation Rate 53% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,500 $37,900
Making Student Loan Payments 64% 49%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $24,617
Median Loan Payment $258 $254

Diversity

PennWest California West Liberty University
% Men 39% 37%
% Women 61% 63%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 77% 79%
% Black 12% 4%
% Hispanic 3% 1%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 1%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 12%

Students

PennWest California West Liberty University
% In-State 86% 61%
% Out-of-State 13% 37%

Campus

PennWest California West Liberty University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • PennWest California is larger than than West Liberty University based on total student enrollment (6,509 students vs. 2,315 students)

PennWest California vs. West Liberty University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PennWest California or West Liberty University?

  • West Liberty University is 13% more expensive to attend than PennWest California for in-state tuition ($8,716.00 vs. $7,716.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 47.7% higher at West Liberty University than PennWest California ($17,100.00 vs. $11,574.00)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Liberty University are 4% lower than costs at PennWest California ($10,020 vs. $10,416)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at West Liberty University than PennWest California (85% vs. 0%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by West Liberty University students is ?% larger than aid received PennWest California ($5,824 vs. $0)

Which college is harder to get into, PennWest California or West Liberty University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between West Liberty University or PennWest California .

  • The average SAT score at West Liberty University (984) is 62 points higher than at PennWest California (922)
  • Incoming West Liberty University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at PennWest California (20)
  • Accepted freshman West Liberty University students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at PennWest California (3.31)

PennWest California vs. West Liberty University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, PennWest California or West Liberty University? 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 West Liberty University and PennWest California.

  • The graduation rate at PennWest California is higher than West Liberty University (53% vs. 46%)
  • Graduates from PennWest California earn on average $4,600 more per year than West Liberty University graduates after ten years. ($42,500 vs. $37,900)
  • West Liberty University students graduate with a $383 lower median federal student loan debt than PennWest California graduates. ($24,617 vs. $25,000)
  • West Liberty University graduates are paying $4 less per month on federal student loans than PennWest California graduates. ($254 vs. $258)
  • More PennWest California graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former West Liberty University students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 49%)

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