Salem State University vs. WCU

Should I go to Salem State University or West Chester University of Pennsylvania? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Salem State University or WCU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Salem State University vs. West Chester University of Pennsylvania comparison
Salem State University West Chester University of Pennsylvania College 3 College 4
Salem State University West Chester University of Pennsylvania
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Salem State University WCU
Location Salem, MA West Chester, PA
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 6,539 17,275
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #733 #496
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website salemstate.edu wcupa.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Salem State University WCU
Tuition (In State) $910 $7,716
Tuition (Out of State) $7,050 $19,290
Room & Board $14,954 $14,228
Avg Net Price $19,277 $22,973
Avg Grant Aid $8,562 $5,443
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 64%

Admission

Salem State University WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,093 14,778
Admitted 4,719 12,982
Acceptance Rate 92.7% 87.8%
Enrolled % 18.3% 23.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.17 3.43
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/30
SAT Range 986/1210 1080/1260
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jun 1, 2025

Academics

Salem State University WCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • English and Literature (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)

Outcomes

Salem State University WCU
Graduation Rate 42% 68%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,400 $49,000
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,000 $23,500
Median Loan Payment $248 $242

Diversity

Salem State University WCU
% Men 31% 39%
% Women 69% 61%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 68% 78%
% Black 9% 11%
% Hispanic 12% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 3% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

Salem State University WCU
% In-State 90% 87%
% Out-of-State 8% 12%

Campus

Salem State University WCU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • West Chester University of Pennsylvania is larger than than Salem State University based on total student enrollment (17,275 students vs. 6,539 students)

Salem State University vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem State University or WCU?

  • West Chester University of Pennsylvania is 747.9% more expensive to attend than Salem State University for in-state tuition ($7,716.00 vs. $910.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 173.6% higher at WCU than Salem State University ($19,290.00 vs. $7,050.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Salem State University than WCU ($19,277 vs. $22,973)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania are 5.1% lower than costs at Salem State University ($14,228 vs. $14,954)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Salem State University than West Chester University of Pennsylvania (99% vs. 64%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Salem State University students is 57.3% larger than aid received West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($8,562 vs. $5,443)

Salem State University vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Salem State University or WCU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between WCU or Salem State University .

  • Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at Salem State University (3.17)
  • Salem State University has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than WCU (87.8%)

Salem State University vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Salem State University or WCU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between WCU and Salem State University.

  • The graduation rate at WCU is higher than Salem State University (68% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from West Chester University of Pennsylvania earn on average $4,600 more per year than Salem State University graduates after ten years. ($49,000 vs. $44,400)
  • West Chester University of Pennsylvania students graduate with a $500 lower median federal student loan debt than Salem State University graduates. ($23,500 vs. $24,000)
  • WCU graduates are paying $6 less per month on federal student loans than Salem State University graduates. ($242 vs. $248)
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem State University students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 63%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/