Niagara University vs. WCU

Should I go to Niagara University or West Chester University of Pennsylvania? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Niagara University 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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Niagara University vs. West Chester University of Pennsylvania comparison
Niagara University West Chester University of Pennsylvania College 3 College 4
Niagara University West Chester University of Pennsylvania
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Overview

Niagara University WCU
Location Niagara University, NY West Chester, PA
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 3,858 17,275
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #487 #496
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website niagara.edu wcupa.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Niagara University WCU
Tuition (In State) $35,400 $7,716
Tuition (Out of State) $35,400 $19,290
Room & Board $12,700 $14,228
Avg Net Price $18,165 $22,973
Avg Grant Aid $29,898 $5,443
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 64%

Admission

Niagara University WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,836 14,778
Admitted 3,435 12,982
Acceptance Rate 89.5% 87.8%
Enrolled % 15.9% 23.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.53 3.43
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 24/28 23/30
SAT Range 1030/1240 1080/1260
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 Aug 30, 2025

Academics

Niagara University WCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (35%)
  • Business (29%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Social Sciences (5%)
  • Biology (4%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • English and Literature (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)

Outcomes

Niagara University WCU
Graduation Rate 65% 68%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $43,100 $49,000
Making Student Loan Payments 72% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $23,500
Median Loan Payment $258 $242

Diversity

Niagara University WCU
% Men 35% 39%
% Women 65% 61%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 68% 78%
% Black 5% 11%
% Hispanic 4% 5%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 13% 0%
% Unknown Race 5% 0%

Students

Niagara University WCU
% In-State 81% 87%
% Out-of-State 10% 12%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • West Chester University of Pennsylvania is larger than than Niagara University based on total student enrollment (17,275 students vs. 3,858 students)

Niagara University vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Niagara University or WCU?

  • Niagara University is 358.8% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($35,400.00 vs. $7,716.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 83.5% higher at Niagara University than West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($35,400.00 vs. $19,290.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Niagara University than WCU ($18,165 vs. $22,973)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Niagara University are 12% lower than costs at West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($12,700 vs. $14,228)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Niagara University than West Chester University of Pennsylvania (100% vs. 64%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Niagara University students is 449.3% larger than aid received West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($29,898 vs. $5,443)

Niagara University vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (1072) is 35 points higher than at Niagara University (1037)
  • Incoming WCU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Niagara University (23)
  • Accepted freshman Niagara University students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at WCU (3.43)
  • Niagara University has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than WCU (87.8%)

Niagara University vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Niagara University 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 Niagara University.

  • The graduation rate at WCU is higher than Niagara University (68% vs. 65%)
  • Graduates from West Chester University of Pennsylvania earn on average $5,900 more per year than Niagara University graduates after ten years. ($49,000 vs. $43,100)
  • West Chester University of Pennsylvania students graduate with a $1,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Niagara University graduates. ($23,500 vs. $25,000)
  • WCU graduates are paying $16 less per month on federal student loans than Niagara University graduates. ($242 vs. $258)
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Niagara University students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 72%)

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