Paine College vs. WVSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Paine College in Augusta, GA 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 Paine College based on total student enrollment (3,246 students vs. 390 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Paine College is located in Augusta, GA (Midsize City setting); West Virginia State University is in Institute, WV (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Paine 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: Paine College 11:1; West Virginia State University 13:1.

Paine College vs. WVSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Paine 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 Paine College ($11,055 vs. $15,935).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Paine College are 44.4% lower than at West Virginia State University ($7,512 vs. $13,522).
• Paine College is 52.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than WVSU (about $5,026 more per year; $14,596.00 vs. $9,570.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.7% higher at WVSU than at Paine College (about $394 more per year; $14,990.00 vs. $14,596.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Paine College than at West Virginia State University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Paine College students is 35% larger than aid received by West Virginia State University students ($12,145 vs. $8,993).

Paine College vs. WVSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Paine 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 Paine College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at West Virginia State University (900) is 20 points higher than at Paine College (880).
• Incoming Paine 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: Paine College 776/976; West Virginia State University 760/1040.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Paine College 15/19; West Virginia State University 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Paine College - Test-free; WVSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Paine College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WVSU students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.24) than students at Paine College (2.81).
• WVSU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than Paine College (95.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.6% at Paine College vs. 5.5% at WVSU.

Paine College vs. WVSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Paine 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).

• Paine College's six-year graduation rate (27%) is higher than West Virginia State University's (25%).
• Graduates from West Virginia State University earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than Paine College graduates about ten years after starting college ($32,700 vs. $28,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Virginia State University graduates have a $12,500 lower median loan debt than Paine College graduates ($23,250 vs. $35,750).
• Among borrowers, WVSU graduates have an estimated $129 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Paine College graduates ($240 vs. $369).
• More WVSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Paine College students, three years after graduation. (35% vs. 15%)

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.