Chatham vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Chatham University in Pittsburgh, PA with West Chester University of Pennsylvania in West Chester, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

West Chester University of Pennsylvania is larger than Chatham based on total student enrollment (17,171 students vs. 2,309 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chatham University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting); West Chester University of Pennsylvania is in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Chatham University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Chatham University 10:1; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1.

Chatham vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Chatham or WCU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at West Chester University of Pennsylvania than Chatham ($22,546 vs. $31,280).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chatham University are 8.3% lower than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($13,600 vs. $14,828).
• Chatham University is 314.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $33,851 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $10,775.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 97.5% higher at Chatham than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (about $22,027 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $22,599.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chatham University than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chatham University students is 427.2% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($30,095 vs. $5,709).

Chatham vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Chatham or WCU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WCU and Chatham.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (1190) is 10 points higher than at Chatham (1180).
• Incoming WCU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Chatham).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chatham University 1070/1295; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chatham University 21/30; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Chatham - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Chatham students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at WCU (3.43).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (78.4%) than Chatham (62%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at Chatham vs. 22.4% at WCU.

Chatham vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Chatham and WCU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• West Chester University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Chatham University's (60%).
• Graduates from West Chester University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $12,300 more per year than Chatham graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Chatham University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($20,500 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Chatham graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($211 vs. $242).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Chatham students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 62%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.