Livingstone College vs. WVSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Livingstone College in Salisbury, NC with West Virginia State University in Institute, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

West Virginia State University is larger than Livingstone College based on total student enrollment (3,246 students vs. 936 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Livingstone College is located in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting); West Virginia State University is in Institute, WV (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Livingstone College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Livingstone College 14:1; West Virginia State University 13:1.

Livingstone College vs. WVSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Livingstone College or WVSU? 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 Virginia State University than Livingstone College ($11,055 vs. $12,826).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Livingstone College are 49.8% lower than at West Virginia State University ($6,794 vs. $13,522).
• Livingstone College is 91.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than WVSU (about $8,726 more per year; $18,296.00 vs. $9,570.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.1% higher at Livingstone College than at West Virginia State University (about $3,306 more per year; $18,296.00 vs. $14,990.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Livingstone College than at West Virginia State University (99% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Livingstone College students is 72.2% larger than aid received by West Virginia State University students ($15,485 vs. $8,993).

Livingstone College vs. WVSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Livingstone College or WVSU? 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 WVSU and Livingstone College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at West Virginia State University (900) is 20 points higher than at Livingstone College (880).
• Incoming Livingstone College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 17) as students at WVSU (17).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Livingstone College 800/960; West Virginia State University 760/1040.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Livingstone College 14/21; West Virginia State University 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Livingstone College - Test-free; WVSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WVSU students have a 0.6 point higher average high school GPA (3.24) than students at Livingstone College (2.64).
• WVSU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than Livingstone College (59.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.6% at Livingstone College vs. 5.5% at WVSU.

Livingstone College vs. WVSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Livingstone College and WVSU? 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).

• Livingstone College's six-year graduation rate (28%) is higher than West Virginia State University's (25%).
• Graduates from West Virginia State University earn a median of about $8,500 more per year than Livingstone College graduates about ten years after starting college ($32,700 vs. $24,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Virginia State University graduates have a $18,750 lower median loan debt than Livingstone College graduates ($23,250 vs. $42,000).
• Among borrowers, WVSU graduates have an estimated $194 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Livingstone College graduates ($240 vs. $434).
• More WVSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Livingstone College students, three years after graduation. (35% vs. 13%)

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.