Rider University vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ 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 Rider University based on total student enrollment (17,171 students vs. 4,003 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rider University is located in Lawrenceville, NJ (Large Suburban setting); West Chester University of Pennsylvania is in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Rider University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rider University 14:1; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1.

Rider University vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rider University 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 West Chester University of Pennsylvania than Rider University ($22,546 vs. $26,506).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania are 13.9% lower than at Rider University ($14,828 vs. $17,230).
• Rider University is 281.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $30,345 more per year; $41,120.00 vs. $10,775.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 82% higher at Rider University than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (about $18,521 more per year; $41,120.00 vs. $22,599.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rider University than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rider University students is 413.1% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($29,294 vs. $5,709).

Rider University vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Rider University 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 Rider University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rider University (1210) is 20 points higher than at WCU (1190).
• Incoming Rider University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 26 at WCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rider University 1100/1320; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rider University 27/31; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rider University - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at Rider University (3.41).
• Rider University has a higher acceptance rate (78.6%) than WCU (78.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.1% at Rider University vs. 22.4% at WCU.

Rider University vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rider University 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 Rider University's (63%).
• Graduates from Rider University earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,000 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Chester University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $2,250 lower median loan debt than Rider University graduates ($23,500 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rider University graduates ($242 vs. $266).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rider University students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 73%)

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.