Rutgers University-Newark vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Rutgers University Newark in Newark, 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 Rutgers University-Newark based on total student enrollment (17,171 students vs. 11,315 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rutgers University Newark is located in Newark, NJ (Large City setting); West Chester University of Pennsylvania is in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Rutgers University Newark 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: Rutgers University Newark 14:1; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1.

Rutgers University-Newark vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rutgers University-Newark 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 Rutgers University Newark than WCU ($18,276 vs. $22,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania are 7.8% lower than at Rutgers University Newark ($14,828 vs. $16,074).
• Rutgers University Newark is 60.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $6,475 more per year; $17,250.00 vs. $10,775.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 62.7% higher at Rutgers University-Newark than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (about $14,163 more per year; $36,762.00 vs. $22,599.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at West Chester University of Pennsylvania than at Rutgers University Newark (73% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rutgers University Newark students is 204.9% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($17,405 vs. $5,709).

Rutgers University-Newark vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Rutgers University-Newark 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 Rutgers University-Newark.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (1190) is 40 points higher than at Rutgers University-Newark (1150).
• Incoming WCU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at Rutgers University-Newark).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rutgers University Newark 1030/1270; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rutgers University Newark 21/28; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rutgers University-Newark - Test-free; WCU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at Rutgers University-Newark (3.23).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (78.4%) than Rutgers University-Newark (71.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.1% at Rutgers University-Newark vs. 22.4% at WCU.

Rutgers University-Newark vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rutgers University-Newark 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).

• The graduation rate at Rutgers University-Newark is the same as at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (68% vs. 68%).
• Graduates from Rutgers University Newark earn a median of about $17,200 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,200 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rutgers University Newark graduates have a $1,285 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($22,215 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Rutgers University-Newark graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($229 vs. $242).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rutgers University-Newark students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 68%)

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.