LVC vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Lebanon Valley College in Annville, PA 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 LVC based on total student enrollment (17,171 students vs. 2,146 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lebanon Valley College is located in Annville, PA (Small Suburban setting); West Chester University of Pennsylvania is in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Lebanon Valley College 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: Lebanon Valley College 11:1; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1.

LVC vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LVC 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 LVC ($22,546 vs. $27,995).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania are 10.5% lower than at Lebanon Valley College ($14,828 vs. $16,576).
• Lebanon Valley College is 383.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $41,305 more per year; $52,080.00 vs. $10,775.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 130.5% higher at LVC than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (about $29,481 more per year; $52,080.00 vs. $22,599.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lebanon Valley College than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lebanon Valley College students is 577.1% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($38,653 vs. $5,709).

LVC vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, LVC 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 LVC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lebanon Valley College (1220) is 30 points higher than at WCU (1190).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lebanon Valley College 1140/1302; 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: LVC - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman LVC students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at WCU (3.43).
• LVC has a higher acceptance rate (83.8%) than WCU (78.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at LVC vs. 22.4% at WCU.

LVC vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for LVC 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).

• Lebanon Valley College's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than West Chester University of Pennsylvania's (68%).
• Graduates from West Chester University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than LVC graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $47,500), 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 LVC graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than LVC graduates ($242 vs. $279).
• More LVC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.