Fisher vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare St. John Fisher University in Rochester, NY 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 Fisher based on total student enrollment (17,171 students vs. 3,693 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• St. John Fisher University is located in Rochester, NY (Large Suburban setting); West Chester University of Pennsylvania is in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• St. John Fisher 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: St. John Fisher University 11:1; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1.

Fisher vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fisher 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 Fisher ($22,546 vs. $30,540).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania are 0.5% lower than at St. John Fisher University ($14,828 vs. $14,908).
• St. John Fisher University is 282.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $30,415 more per year; $41,190.00 vs. $10,775.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 82.3% higher at Fisher than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (about $18,591 more per year; $41,190.00 vs. $22,599.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St. John Fisher University than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St. John Fisher University students is 329.7% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($24,530 vs. $5,709).

Fisher vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fisher 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 Fisher.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at St. John Fisher University (1210) is 20 points higher than at WCU (1190).
• Incoming WCU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Fisher).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St. John Fisher University 1120/1300; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St. John Fisher University 23/28; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fisher - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Fisher students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at WCU (3.43).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (78.4%) than Fisher (66.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.3% at Fisher vs. 22.4% at WCU.

Fisher vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fisher 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).

• St. John Fisher University's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than West Chester University of Pennsylvania's (68%).
• Graduates from St. John Fisher University earn a median of about $1,800 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,800 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Chester University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $400 lower median loan debt than Fisher graduates ($23,500 vs. $23,900).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fisher graduates ($242 vs. $247).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fisher students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 74%)

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.