Penn State Shenango vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Penn State Shenango in Sharon, 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 Shenango based on total student enrollment (17,171 students vs. 265 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Shenango is located in Sharon, PA (Large Suburban setting); West Chester University of Pennsylvania is in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Penn State Shenango 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 Shenango 7:1; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1.

Penn State Shenango vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Shenango 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 Shenango than WCU ($18,383 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 Shenango ($14,828 vs. $15,274).
• Penn State Shenango is 30.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $3,249 more per year; $14,024.00 vs. $10,775.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.3% higher at Penn State Shenango than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (about $961 more per year; $23,560.00 vs. $22,599.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Shenango than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (97% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Penn State Shenango students is 57% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($8,962 vs. $5,709).

Penn State Shenango vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn State Shenango or WCU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WCU and Penn State Shenango.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (1190) is 50 points higher than at Penn State Shenango (1140).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Penn State Shenango 1040/1230; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresWest Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Shenango - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Penn State Shenango has a higher acceptance rate (92.2%) than WCU (78.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28% at Penn State Shenango vs. 22.4% at WCU.

Penn State Shenango vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Shenango and WCU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• West Chester University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Penn State Shenango's (44%).
• Graduates from Penn State Shenango 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 Shenango graduates ($23,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Shenango graduates ($242 vs. $277).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Shenango 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.