Fitchburg State vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Fitchburg State University in Fitchburg, MA 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 Fitchburg State based on total student enrollment (17,171 students vs. 5,892 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fitchburg State University is located in Fitchburg, MA (Midsize Suburban setting); West Chester University of Pennsylvania is in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Fitchburg State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fitchburg State University 11:1; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1.

Fitchburg State vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fitchburg State 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 Fitchburg State University than WCU ($15,340 vs. $22,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania are 4% lower than at Fitchburg State University ($14,828 vs. $15,452).
• Fitchburg State University is 5.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $571 more per year; $11,346.00 vs. $10,775.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.7% higher at WCU than at Fitchburg State University (about $5,173 more per year; $22,599.00 vs. $17,426.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fitchburg State University than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (92% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fitchburg State University students is 102.1% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($11,539 vs. $5,709).

Fitchburg State vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fitchburg State 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 Fitchburg State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (1190) is 40 points higher than at Fitchburg State (1150).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fitchburg State University 1060/1230; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWest Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fitchburg State - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at Fitchburg State (3.29).
• Fitchburg State has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than WCU (78.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at Fitchburg State vs. 22.4% at WCU.

Fitchburg State vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fitchburg State 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 Fitchburg State University's (47%).
• Graduates from West Chester University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than Fitchburg State graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fitchburg State University graduates have a $815 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($22,685 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Fitchburg State graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($234 vs. $242).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fitchburg State students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 65%)

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.