Elon vs. WCU

Deciding between Elon University and West Chester University of Pennsylvania? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Elon University
West Chester University of Pennsylvania

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Elon Elon, NC
  • WCU West Chester, PA
  • Setting
  • Elon Small Suburban
  • WCU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Elon 7,239
  • WCU 17,171
  • Type
  • Elon Private 4 Year
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Elon #140
  • WCU #505
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Elon -
  • WCU -
  • Status
  • Elon Non-profit
  • WCU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Elon
  • WCU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Elon $46,958
  • WCU $10,775
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Elon $46,958
  • WCU $22,599
  • Room & Board
  • Elon $14,985
  • WCU $14,828
  • Average Net Price
  • Elon $44,440
  • WCU $22,546
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Elon $17,867
  • WCU $5,709
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Elon 77%
  • WCU 73%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Elon 18,105
  • WCU 17,193
  • Admitted
  • Elon 12,012
  • WCU 13,479
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Elon 66.3%
  • WCU 78.4%
  • Enrolled
  • Elon 13.4%
  • WCU 22.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Elon 1210
  • WCU 1190
  • Typical ACT score
  • Elon 25
  • WCU 26
  • Average High School GPA
  • Elon 3.65
  • WCU 3.43
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Elon A-
  • WCU B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Elon Challenging
  • WCU Average
  • Applicant Competition
  • Elon Low
  • WCU
  • ACT Range
  • Elon 23/28
  • WCU 24/28
  • SAT Range
  • Elon 1130/1280
  • WCU 1100/1270
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Elon Test optional
  • WCU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Elon Jan 10, 2027
  • WCU

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Elon 11:1
  • WCU 20:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Elon
    • Business (22%)
    • Communication (19%)
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • WCU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (16%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • English and Literature (9%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Elon 82%
  • WCU 68%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Elon $56,200
  • WCU $49,000
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Elon 86%
  • WCU 75%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Elon $23,250
  • WCU $23,500
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Elon $240
  • WCU $242

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Elon 40%
  • WCU 40%
  • % Women
  • Elon 60%
  • WCU 60%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Elon Low
  • WCU Low
  • HBCU
  • Elon No
  • WCU No
  • % White
  • Elon 82%
  • WCU 78%
  • % Asian
  • Elon 2%
  • WCU 2%
  • % Black
  • Elon 6%
  • WCU 11%
  • % Hispanic
  • Elon 5%
  • WCU 5%
  • % Native American
  • Elon 0%
  • WCU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Elon 0%
  • WCU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Elon 2%
  • WCU 3%
  • % International
  • Elon 2%
  • WCU 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Elon 1%
  • WCU 0%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Elon 21%
  • WCU 86%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Elon 77%
  • WCU 13%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Elon Yes
  • WCU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Elon No
  • WCU No
  • Meal Plan
  • Elon Yes
  • WCU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Elon No
  • WCU No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Elon No
  • WCU No

Comparable Facts

Compare Elon University in Elon, NC 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 Elon based on total student enrollment (17,171 students vs. 7,239 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Elon University is located in Elon, NC (Small Suburban setting); West Chester University of Pennsylvania is in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Elon 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: Elon University 11:1; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1.

Elon vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elon 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 Elon ($22,546 vs. $44,440).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania are 1% lower than at Elon University ($14,828 vs. $14,985).
  • Elon University is 335.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $36,183 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $10,775.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 107.8% higher at Elon than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (about $24,359 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $22,599.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Elon University than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (77% vs. 73%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Elon University students is 213% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($17,867 vs. $5,709).

Elon vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Elon 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 Elon.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Elon University (1210) is 20 points higher than at WCU (1190).
  • Incoming WCU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Elon).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 1130/1280; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 23/28; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elon - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Elon Jan 10, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Elon students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at WCU (3.43).
  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (78.4%) than Elon (66.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at Elon vs. 22.4% at WCU.

Elon vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Elon 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).

  • Elon University's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than West Chester University of Pennsylvania's (68%).
  • Graduates from Elon University earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Elon University graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($23,250 vs. $23,500).
  • Among borrowers, Elon graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($240 vs. $242).
  • More Elon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 75%)

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.