Kent State vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

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

Kent State University at Kent is larger than WCU based on total student enrollment (26,374 students vs. 17,171 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kent State University at Kent is located in Kent, OH (Large Suburban setting); West Chester University of Pennsylvania is in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Kent State University at Kent 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: Kent State University at Kent 20:1; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1.

Kent State vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kent 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 Kent State University at Kent than WCU ($21,278 vs. $22,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kent State University at Kent are 7% lower than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($13,794 vs. $14,828).
• Kent State University at Kent is 22.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $2,457 more per year; $13,232.00 vs. $10,775.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.1% higher at Kent State than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (about $483 more per year; $23,082.00 vs. $22,599.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kent State University at Kent than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (95% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kent State University at Kent students is 76.5% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($10,076 vs. $5,709).

Kent State vs. WCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (1190) is 60 points higher than at Kent State (1130).
• Incoming WCU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 21 at Kent State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kent State University at Kent 1010/1240; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kent State University at Kent 18/25; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Kent State - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kent State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Kent State students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at WCU (3.43).
• Kent State has a higher acceptance rate (86.3%) than WCU (78.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.3% at Kent State vs. 22.4% at WCU.

Kent State vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Kent 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 Kent State University at Kent's (50%).
• Graduates from West Chester University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $8,700 more per year than Kent State graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Chester University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $2,325 lower median loan debt than Kent State graduates ($23,500 vs. $25,825).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kent State graduates ($242 vs. $267).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kent State students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 46%)

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.