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Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus WVU Fairmont State PennWest Clarion Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Marshall University Morgan State Penn State Schuylkill Robert Morris University Concord University Buffalo State College Frostburg State University| PennWest California | West Virginia State University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
PennWest California | WVSU | ||
| Location | California, PA | Institute, WV | ||
| Setting | Town Fringe | Midsize Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 6,509 | 3,785 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #1033 | #1009 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | calu.edu | wvstateu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
PennWest California | WVSU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $7,716 | $8,122 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $11,574 | $13,810 | ||
| Room & Board | $10,416 | $12,214 | ||
| Avg Net Price | - | $11,684 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $0 | $9,482 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 0% | 90% |
Admission |
PennWest California | WVSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | - | 2,775 | ||
| Admitted | - | 2,669 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 96.2% | |||
| Enrolled % | 12.4% | |||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.31 | 3.24 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B | ||
| Admissions Standards | Very Easy | Extremely Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 18/24 | 17/22 | ||
| SAT Range | 940/1150 | 840/1065 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | |||
| Application Deadline | Aug 22, 2025 |
Academics |
PennWest California | WVSU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 19:1 | 16:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
PennWest California | WVSU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 53% | 25% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $42,500 | $32,700 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 64% | 35% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $25,000 | $23,250 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $258 | $240 |
Diversity |
PennWest California | WVSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 39% | 41% | ||
| % Women | 61% | 59% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | Yes | ||
| % White | 77% | 65% | ||
| % Black | 12% | 14% | ||
| % Hispanic | 3% | 1% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 10% | ||
| % International | 1% | 1% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 2% | 9% |
Students |
PennWest California | WVSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 86% | 81% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 13% | 17% | ||
Campus |
PennWest California | WVSU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | Yes | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- PennWest California is larger than than WVSU based on total student enrollment (6,509 students vs. 3,785 students)
PennWest California vs. WVSU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, PennWest California or WVSU?
- West Virginia State University is 5.3% more expensive to attend than PennWest California for in-state tuition ($8,122.00 vs. $7,716.00)
- Out of state tuition is 19.3% higher at WVSU than PennWest California ($13,810.00 vs. $11,574.00)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at PennWest California are 17.3% lower than costs at West Virginia State University ($10,416 vs. $12,214)
- More students receive financial grant aid at West Virginia State University than PennWest California (90% vs. 0%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by West Virginia State University students is ?% larger than aid received PennWest California ($9,482 vs. $0)
Which college is harder to get into, PennWest California or WVSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between WVSU or PennWest California .
- The average SAT score at West Virginia State University (927) is 5 points higher than at PennWest California (922)
- Incoming PennWest California students have at the same average ACT score (20) as students at WVSU (20)
- Accepted freshman PennWest California students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at WVSU (3.24)
PennWest California vs. WVSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, PennWest California or WVSU? 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 WVSU and PennWest California.
- The graduation rate at PennWest California is higher than West Virginia State University (53% vs. 25%)
- Graduates from PennWest California earn on average $9,800 more per year than WVSU graduates after ten years. ($42,500 vs. $32,700)
- West Virginia State University students graduate with a $1,750 lower median federal student loan debt than PennWest California graduates. ($23,250 vs. $25,000)
- WVSU graduates are paying $18 less per month on federal student loans than PennWest California graduates. ($240 vs. $258)
- More PennWest California graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WVSU students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 35%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/