Penn State New Kensington vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Penn State New Kensington in New Kensington, PA 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 Penn State New Kensington based on total student enrollment (17,171 students vs. 421 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State New Kensington is located in New Kensington, PA (Rural Fringe setting); West Chester University of Pennsylvania is in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Penn State New Kensington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State New Kensington 9:1; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1.

Penn State New Kensington vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State New Kensington 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 Penn State New Kensington than WCU ($19,504 vs. $22,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania are 2.9% lower than at Penn State New Kensington ($14,828 vs. $15,274).
• Penn State New Kensington is 33.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $3,633 more per year; $14,408.00 vs. $10,775.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.8% higher at Penn State New Kensington than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (about $1,535 more per year; $24,134.00 vs. $22,599.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State New Kensington than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (94% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Penn State New Kensington students is 36.8% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($7,809 vs. $5,709).

Penn State New Kensington vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn State New Kensington 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 Penn State New Kensington.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State New Kensington (1190) is the same as at WCU (1190).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State New Kensington 1110/1265; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWest Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State New Kensington - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Penn State New Kensington has a higher acceptance rate (95.3%) than WCU (78.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22% at Penn State New Kensington vs. 22.4% at WCU.

Penn State New Kensington vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State New Kensington 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).

• West Chester University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Penn State New Kensington's (40%).
• Graduates from Penn State New Kensington earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Chester University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $3,318 lower median loan debt than Penn State New Kensington graduates ($23,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State New Kensington graduates ($242 vs. $277).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State New Kensington students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 69%)

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.