MSU vs. WCU

Should I go to Montana State University or West Chester University of Pennsylvania? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if MSU or WCU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Montana State University vs. West Chester University of Pennsylvania comparison
Montana State University West Chester University of Pennsylvania College 3 College 4
Montana State University West Chester University of Pennsylvania
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Overview

 MSU WCU
Location Bozeman, MT West Chester, PA
Setting Remote Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 16,960 17,076
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #658 #532
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website montana.edu wcupa.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 MSU WCU
Tuition (In State) $6,056 $7,716
Tuition (Out of State) $29,047 $19,290
Room & Board $13,446 $12,474
Avg Net Price $18,511 $21,684
Avg Grant Aid $9,967 $5,503
% Receiving Grant Aid 85% 70%

Admission

 MSU WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 21,975 16,467
Admitted 19,081 13,042
Acceptance Rate 86.8% 79.2%
Enrolled % 19% 23.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.5 3.43
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/27 24/28
SAT Range 1060/1270 1100/1270
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

 MSU WCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Engineering (12%)
  • Business (10%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Education (7%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • English and Literature (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)

Outcomes

 MSU WCU
Graduation Rate 51% 68%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $45,800 $49,000
Making Student Loan Payments 71% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,000 $23,500
Median Loan Payment $248 $242

Diversity

 MSU WCU
% Men 5% 5%
% Women 7% 11%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 86% 78%
% Black 1% 11%
% Hispanic 4% 5%
% Native American 2% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 3% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

 MSU WCU
% In-State 36% 87%
% Out-of-State 64% 13%

Campus

 MSU WCU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • West Chester University of Pennsylvania is larger than than MSU based on total student enrollment (17,076 students vs. 16,960 students)

MSU vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MSU or WCU?

  • West Chester University of Pennsylvania is 27.4% more expensive to attend than MSU for in-state tuition ($7,716.00 vs. $6,056.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 50.6% higher at MSU than West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($29,047.00 vs. $19,290.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Montana State University than WCU ($18,511 vs. $21,684)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania are 7.8% lower than costs at Montana State University ($12,474 vs. $13,446)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Montana State University than West Chester University of Pennsylvania (85% vs. 70%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Montana State University students is 81.1% larger than aid received West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($9,967 vs. $5,503)

MSU vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MSU or WCU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between WCU or MSU .

  • The average SAT score at Montana State University (1131) is 59 points higher than at WCU (1072)
  • Incoming MSU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at WCU (24)
  • Accepted freshman MSU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at WCU (3.43)
  • MSU has a higher acceptance rate (86.8%) than WCU (79.2%)

MSU vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, MSU or WCU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between WCU and MSU.

  • The graduation rate at WCU is higher than Montana State University (68% vs. 51%)
  • Graduates from West Chester University of Pennsylvania earn on average $3,200 more per year than MSU graduates after ten years. ($49,000 vs. $45,800)
  • West Chester University of Pennsylvania students graduate with a $500 lower median federal student loan debt than MSU graduates. ($23,500 vs. $24,000)
  • WCU graduates are paying $6 less per month on federal student loans than MSU graduates. ($242 vs. $248)
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 71%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/