SCSU vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, CT with Potomac State College of West Virginia University in Keyser, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Connecticut State University is larger than Potomac State College of West Virginia University based on total student enrollment (9,377 students vs. 1,077 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Connecticut State University is located in New Haven, CT (Midsize City setting); Potomac State College of West Virginia University is in Keyser, WV (Distant Town setting).
• Southern Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Potomac State College of West Virginia University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Connecticut State University 11:1; Potomac State College of West Virginia University 13:1.

SCSU vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCSU or Potomac State College of West Virginia University? 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 Potomac State College of West Virginia University than SCSU ($9,541 vs. $19,827).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Potomac State College of West Virginia University are 15.8% lower than at Southern Connecticut State University ($12,580 vs. $14,938).
• Southern Connecticut State University is 154.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Potomac State College of West Virginia University (about $8,158 more per year; $13,438.00 vs. $5,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 107.4% higher at SCSU than at Potomac State College of West Virginia University (about $14,178 more per year; $27,378.00 vs. $13,200.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Potomac State College of West Virginia University than at Southern Connecticut State University (90% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Connecticut State University students is 44.8% larger than aid received by Potomac State College of West Virginia University students ($9,977 vs. $6,890).

SCSU vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SCSU or Potomac State College of West Virginia University? 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 Potomac State College of West Virginia University and SCSU.

• Potomac State College of West Virginia University reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SCSU - Test-free; Potomac State College of West Virginia University - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman SCSU students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.2) than students at Potomac State College of West Virginia University (3.06).

SCSU vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCSU and Potomac State College of West Virginia University? 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).

• Graduates from Potomac State College of West Virginia University earn a median of about $4,800 more per year than SCSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $45,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Connecticut State University graduates have a $751 lower median loan debt than Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates ($23,250 vs. $24,001).
• Among borrowers, SCSU graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates ($240 vs. $248).
• More SCSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Potomac State College of West Virginia University students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 59%)

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.