Principia College vs. Westminster College

Comparable Facts

Compare Principia College in Elsah, Illinois with Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Westminster College is larger than Principia College based on total student enrollment (1,191 students vs. 339 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Principia College is located in Elsah, Illinois (Rural Fringe setting); Westminster College is in New Wilmington, PA (Town Fringe setting).
• Principia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Westminster College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Principia College 6:1; Westminster College 12:1.

Principia College vs. Westminster College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Principia College or Westminster College? 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 Westminster College ($18,248 vs. $20,394).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Westminster College are 7.4% lower than at Principia College ($12,880 vs. $13,910).
• Westminster College is 16.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Principia College (about $5,610 more per year; $40,290.00 vs. $34,680.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.2% higher at Westminster College than at Principia College (about $5,610 more per year; $40,290.00 vs. $34,680.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Westminster College than at Principia College (100% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Westminster College students is 7.1% larger than aid received by Principia College students ($32,553 vs. $30,402).

Principia College vs. Westminster College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Principia College or Westminster College? 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 Westminster College and Principia College.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Principia College (1150) is the same as at Westminster College (1150).
• Incoming Westminster College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Principia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Principia College 1040/1250; Westminster College 1040/1258.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Principia College 19/23; Westminster College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Principia College - Not reported; Westminster College - Test-free.
• Enrolled freshman Westminster College students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Principia College (3.34).

Principia College vs. Westminster College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Principia College and Westminster College? 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.

• Westminster College's six-year graduation rate is 74%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for Principia College.
• Graduates from Westminster College have median earnings of about $45,700 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for Principia College.

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.