Mount St. Mary's University vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, MD 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 Mount St. Mary's University based on total student enrollment (17,171 students vs. 2,408 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mount St. Mary's University is located in Emmitsburg, MD (Rural Fringe setting); West Chester University of Pennsylvania is in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Mount St. Mary's 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: Mount St. Mary's University 13:1; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1.

Mount St. Mary's University vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mount St. Mary's University 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 Mount St. Mary's University ($22,546 vs. $23,027).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania are 1.5% lower than at Mount St. Mary's University ($14,828 vs. $15,050).
• Mount St. Mary's University is 351.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $37,855 more per year; $48,630.00 vs. $10,775.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 115.2% higher at Mount St. Mary's University than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (about $26,031 more per year; $48,630.00 vs. $22,599.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount St. Mary's University than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount St. Mary's University students is 611.5% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($40,619 vs. $5,709).

Mount St. Mary's University vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mount St. Mary's University 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 Mount St. Mary's University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (1190) is 30 points higher than at Mount St. Mary's University (1160).
• Incoming WCU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at Mount St. Mary's University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount St. Mary's University 1046/1280; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount St. Mary's University 19/27; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mount St. Mary's University - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mount St. Mary's University Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at Mount St. Mary's University (3.36).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (78.4%) than Mount St. Mary's University (73.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at Mount St. Mary's University vs. 22.4% at WCU.

Mount St. Mary's University vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mount St. Mary's University 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).

• Mount St. Mary's University's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than West Chester University of Pennsylvania's (68%).
• Graduates from Mount St. Mary's University earn a median of about $7,100 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,100 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Chester University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Mount St. Mary's University graduates ($23,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mount St. Mary's University graduates ($242 vs. $268).
• More Mount St. Mary's University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.