Carlow University vs. WCU

Should I go to Carlow University or West Chester University of Pennsylvania? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Carlow University or WCU 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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Carlow University vs. West Chester University of Pennsylvania comparison
Carlow University West Chester University of Pennsylvania College 3 College 4
Carlow University West Chester University of Pennsylvania
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Overview

Carlow University WCU
Location Pittsburgh, PA West Chester, PA
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 2,310 17,076
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #773 #532
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website carlow.edu wcupa.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Carlow University WCU
Tuition (In State) $33,376 $7,716
Tuition (Out of State) $33,376 $19,290
Room & Board $13,406 $12,474
Avg Net Price $20,561 $21,684
Avg Grant Aid $26,233 $5,503
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 70%

Admission

Carlow University WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,326 16,467
Admitted 1,155 13,042
Acceptance Rate 87.1% 79.2%
Enrolled % 19.7% 23.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.6 3.43
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 24/28
SAT Range 850/1100 1100/1270
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

Carlow University WCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (26%)
  • Education (24%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Biology (6%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • English and Literature (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)

Outcomes

Carlow University WCU
Graduation Rate 51% 68%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,900 $49,000
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $23,500
Median Loan Payment $279 $242

Diversity

Carlow University WCU
% Men 5% 5%
% Women 36% 11%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 61% 78%
% Black 22% 11%
% Hispanic 2% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 3%
% International 0% 0%
% Unknown Race 8% 0%

Students

Carlow University WCU
% In-State 88% 87%
% Out-of-State 11% 13%

Campus

Carlow University WCU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • West Chester University of Pennsylvania is larger than than Carlow University based on total student enrollment (17,076 students vs. 2,310 students)

Carlow University vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carlow University or WCU?

  • Carlow University is 332.6% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($33,376.00 vs. $7,716.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 73% higher at Carlow University than West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($33,376.00 vs. $19,290.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Carlow University than WCU ($20,561 vs. $21,684)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania are 7.5% lower than costs at Carlow University ($12,474 vs. $13,406)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Carlow University than West Chester University of Pennsylvania (99% vs. 70%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Carlow University students is 376.7% larger than aid received West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($26,233 vs. $5,503)

Carlow University vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (1072) is 100 points higher than at Carlow University (972)
  • Incoming WCU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Carlow University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Carlow University students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at WCU (3.43)
  • Carlow University has a higher acceptance rate (87.1%) than WCU (79.2%)

Carlow University vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Carlow University or WCU? 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 WCU and Carlow University.

  • The graduation rate at WCU is higher than Carlow University (68% vs. 51%)
  • Graduates from West Chester University of Pennsylvania earn on average $7,100 more per year than Carlow University graduates after ten years. ($49,000 vs. $41,900)
  • West Chester University of Pennsylvania students graduate with a $3,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Carlow University graduates. ($23,500 vs. $27,000)
  • WCU graduates are paying $37 less per month on federal student loans than Carlow University graduates. ($242 vs. $279)
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Carlow University students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 59%)

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