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SCSU University of Connecticut-Tri-Campus Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus ECSU UConn UHart PennWest Clarion Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania WestConn Quinnipiac UNH Penn State Schuylkill| Central Connecticut State University | PennWest California | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
CCSU | PennWest California | ||
| Location | New Britain, CT | California, PA | ||
| Setting | Large Suburban | Town Fringe | ||
| Enrollment | 9,468 | 6,509 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #540 | #1033 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | ccsu.edu | calu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
CCSU | PennWest California | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $6,470 | $7,716 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $19,358 | $11,574 | ||
| Room & Board | $12,464 | $10,416 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $17,088 | - | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $6,212 | $0 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 93% | 0% |
Admission |
CCSU | PennWest California | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 7,302 | - | ||
| Admitted | 5,601 | - | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 76.7% | |||
| Enrolled % | 22.4% | |||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.2 | 3.31 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Very Easy | Very Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 18/24 | 18/24 | ||
| SAT Range | 940/1160 | 940/1150 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | |||
| Application Deadline | Aug 26, 2025 | Aug 22, 2025 |
Academics |
CCSU | PennWest California | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 14:1 | 19:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
CCSU | PennWest California | ||
| Graduation Rate | 47% | 53% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $49,000 | $42,500 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 63% | 64% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $22,500 | $25,000 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $232 | $258 |
Diversity |
CCSU | PennWest California | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 51% | 39% | ||
| % Women | 49% | 61% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 65% | 77% | ||
| % Black | 12% | 12% | ||
| % Hispanic | 13% | 3% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 3% | ||
| % International | 1% | 1% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 2% | 2% |
Students |
CCSU | PennWest California | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 92% | 86% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 7% | 13% | ||
Campus |
CCSU | PennWest California | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | Yes | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Central Connecticut State University is larger than than PennWest California based on total student enrollment (9,468 students vs. 6,509 students)
CCSU vs. PennWest California Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, CCSU or PennWest California?
- PennWest California is 19.3% more expensive to attend than CCSU for in-state tuition ($7,716.00 vs. $6,470.00)
- Out of state tuition is 67.3% higher at CCSU than PennWest California ($19,358.00 vs. $11,574.00)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at PennWest California are 19.7% lower than costs at Central Connecticut State University ($10,416 vs. $12,464)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Central Connecticut State University than PennWest California (93% vs. 0%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Central Connecticut State University students is ?% larger than aid received PennWest California ($6,212 vs. $0)
Which college is harder to get into, CCSU or PennWest California? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PennWest California or CCSU .
- The average SAT score at Central Connecticut State University (1011) is 89 points higher than at PennWest California (922)
- Incoming CCSU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at PennWest California (20)
- Accepted freshman PennWest California students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at CCSU (3.2)
CCSU vs. PennWest California Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, CCSU or PennWest California? 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 PennWest California and CCSU.
- The graduation rate at PennWest California is higher than Central Connecticut State University (53% vs. 47%)
- Graduates from Central Connecticut State University earn on average $6,500 more per year than PennWest California graduates after ten years. ($49,000 vs. $42,500)
- Central Connecticut State University students graduate with a $2,500 lower median federal student loan debt than PennWest California graduates. ($22,500 vs. $25,000)
- CCSU graduates are paying $26 less per month on federal student loans than PennWest California graduates. ($232 vs. $258)
- More PennWest California graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CCSU students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 63%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/