CCSU vs. WCU

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

CCSU WCU
Location New Britain, CT West Chester, PA
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 9,468 17,275
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #540 #496
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ccsu.edu wcupa.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CCSU WCU
Tuition (In State) $6,470 $7,716
Tuition (Out of State) $19,358 $19,290
Room & Board $12,464 $14,228
Avg Net Price $17,088 $22,973
Avg Grant Aid $6,212 $5,443
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 64%

Admission

CCSU WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,302 14,778
Admitted 5,601 12,982
Acceptance Rate 76.7% 87.8%
Enrolled % 22.4% 23.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.2 3.43
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 23/30
SAT Range 940/1160 1080/1260
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 Aug 26, 2025

Academics

CCSU WCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (30%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • English and Literature (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)

Outcomes

CCSU WCU
Graduation Rate 47% 68%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,000 $49,000
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $23,500
Median Loan Payment $232 $242

Diversity

CCSU WCU
% Men 51% 39%
% Women 49% 61%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 65% 78%
% Black 12% 11%
% Hispanic 13% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 1% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

CCSU WCU
% In-State 92% 87%
% Out-of-State 7% 12%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • West Chester University of Pennsylvania is larger than than CCSU based on total student enrollment (17,275 students vs. 9,468 students)

CCSU vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CCSU or WCU?

  • West Chester University of Pennsylvania 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 0.4% higher at CCSU than West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($19,358.00 vs. $19,290.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central Connecticut State University than WCU ($17,088 vs. $22,973)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Connecticut State University are 14.2% lower than costs at West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($12,464 vs. $14,228)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Central Connecticut State University than West Chester University of Pennsylvania (93% vs. 64%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central Connecticut State University students is 14.1% larger than aid received West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($6,212 vs. $5,443)

CCSU vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (1072) is 61 points higher than at CCSU (1011)
  • Incoming WCU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at CCSU (22)
  • Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at CCSU (3.2)
  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than CCSU (76.7%)

CCSU vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CCSU 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 CCSU.

  • The graduation rate at WCU is higher than Central Connecticut State University (68% vs. 47%)
  • Graduates of Central Connecticut State University and WCU have equivalent average earnings after ten years ($49,000 vs. $49,000)
  • Central Connecticut State University students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than WCU graduates. ($22,500 vs. $23,500)
  • CCSU graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans than WCU graduates. ($232 vs. $242)
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CCSU students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 63%)

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