Howard vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Howard University in Washington, DC 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 Howard based on total student enrollment (17,171 students vs. 14,890 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Howard University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); West Chester University of Pennsylvania is in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Howard 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: Howard University 13:1; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1.

Howard vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard 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 Howard ($22,546 vs. $33,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania are 14.4% lower than at Howard University ($14,828 vs. $17,322).
• Howard University is 232.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $25,035 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $10,775.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.5% higher at Howard than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (about $13,211 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $22,599.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Howard University than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (99% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Howard University students is 272.4% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($21,262 vs. $5,709).

Howard vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Howard 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 Howard.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Howard 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 Howard).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 1090/1320; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 22/28; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Howard students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at WCU (3.43).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (78.4%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 22.4% at WCU.

Howard vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard 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 Howard University's (63%).
• Graduates from Howard University earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Chester University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Howard graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Howard graduates ($242 vs. $279).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 33%)

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.