Principia College vs. W&J

Comparable Facts

Compare Principia College in Elsah, Illinois with Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Washington & Jefferson College is larger than Principia College based on total student enrollment (1,309 students vs. 339 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Principia College is located in Elsah, Illinois (Rural Fringe setting); Washington & Jefferson College is in Washington, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Principia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington & Jefferson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Principia College 6:1; Washington & Jefferson College 11:1.

Principia College vs. W&J Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Principia College or W&J? 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 Principia College than W&J ($18,248 vs. $22,702).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Principia College are 5.4% lower than at Washington & Jefferson College ($13,910 vs. $14,710).
• Principia College is 18% more expensive for in-state tuition than W&J (about $5,288 more per year; $34,680.00 vs. $29,392.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18% higher at Principia College than at Washington & Jefferson College (about $5,288 more per year; $34,680.00 vs. $29,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington & Jefferson College than at Principia College (100% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Principia College students is 50.9% larger than aid received by Washington & Jefferson College students ($30,402 vs. $20,152).

Principia College vs. W&J Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Principia College or W&J? 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 W&J and Principia College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Principia College (1150) is 20 points higher than at W&J (1130).
• Incoming W&J students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Principia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Principia College 1040/1250; Washington & Jefferson College 1010/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Principia College 19/23; Washington & Jefferson College 19/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Principia College - Not reported; W&J - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman W&J students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at Principia College (3.34).

Principia College vs. W&J Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Principia College and W&J? 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).

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.