DeSales University vs. WCU

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

DeSales University WCU
Location Center Valley, PA West Chester, PA
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 2,991 17,275
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #262 #496
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website desales.edu wcupa.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

DeSales University WCU
Tuition (In State) $41,100 $7,716
Tuition (Out of State) $41,100 $19,290
Room & Board $13,500 $14,228
Avg Net Price $29,104 $22,973
Avg Grant Aid $27,824 $5,443
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 64%

Admission

DeSales University WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,662 14,778
Admitted 2,826 12,982
Acceptance Rate 77.2% 87.8%
Enrolled % 18% 23.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.39 3.43
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/29 23/30
SAT Range 1100/1280 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 1, 2025

Academics

DeSales University WCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (29%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Biology (5%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • English and Literature (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)

Outcomes

DeSales University WCU
Graduation Rate 69% 68%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $51,100 $49,000
Making Student Loan Payments 71% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $23,500
Median Loan Payment $268 $242

Diversity

DeSales University WCU
% Men 34% 39%
% Women 66% 61%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 75% 78%
% Black 4% 11%
% Hispanic 12% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 0% 0%
% Unknown Race 6% 0%

Students

DeSales University WCU
% In-State 66% 87%
% Out-of-State 34% 12%

Campus

DeSales 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 DeSales University based on total student enrollment (17,275 students vs. 2,991 students)

DeSales University vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DeSales University or WCU?

  • DeSales University is 432.7% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($41,100.00 vs. $7,716.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 113.1% higher at DeSales University than West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($41,100.00 vs. $19,290.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at West Chester University of Pennsylvania than DeSales University ($22,973 vs. $29,104)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at DeSales University are 5.4% lower than costs at West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($13,500 vs. $14,228)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at DeSales University than West Chester University of Pennsylvania (100% vs. 64%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by DeSales University students is 411.2% larger than aid received West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($27,824 vs. $5,443)

DeSales University vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (1072) is 18 points higher than at DeSales University (1054)
  • Incoming DeSales University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at WCU (24)
  • Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at DeSales University (3.39)
  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than DeSales University (77.2%)

DeSales University vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, DeSales 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 DeSales University.

  • The graduation rate at DeSales University is higher than West Chester University of Pennsylvania (69% vs. 68%)
  • Graduates from DeSales University earn on average $2,100 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($51,100 vs. $49,000)
  • West Chester University of Pennsylvania students graduate with a $2,500 lower median federal student loan debt than DeSales University graduates. ($23,500 vs. $26,000)
  • WCU graduates are paying $26 less per month on federal student loans than DeSales University graduates. ($242 vs. $268)
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DeSales University students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 71%)

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