Suffolk University vs. WCU

Deciding between Suffolk University and West Chester University of Pennsylvania? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Suffolk University
West Chester University of Pennsylvania

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Suffolk University Boston, MA
  • WCU West Chester, PA
  • Setting
  • Suffolk University Large City
  • WCU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Suffolk University 6,356
  • WCU 17,171
  • Type
  • Suffolk University Private 4 Year
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Suffolk University #521
  • WCU #505
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Suffolk University -
  • WCU -
  • Status
  • Suffolk University Non-profit
  • WCU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Suffolk University
  • WCU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Suffolk University $47,550
  • WCU $10,775
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Suffolk University $47,550
  • WCU $22,599
  • Room & Board
  • Suffolk University $21,326
  • WCU $14,828
  • Average Net Price
  • Suffolk University $33,832
  • WCU $22,546
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Suffolk University $31,558
  • WCU $5,709
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Suffolk University 98%
  • WCU 73%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Suffolk University 10,308
  • WCU 17,193
  • Admitted
  • Suffolk University 8,487
  • WCU 13,479
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Suffolk University 82.3%
  • WCU 78.4%
  • Enrolled
  • Suffolk University 10.9%
  • WCU 22.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Suffolk University 1200
  • WCU 1190
  • Typical ACT score
  • Suffolk University 26
  • WCU 26
  • Average High School GPA
  • Suffolk University 3.33
  • WCU 3.43
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Suffolk University B+
  • WCU B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Suffolk University Challenging
  • WCU Average
  • Applicant Competition
  • Suffolk University
  • WCU
  • ACT Range
  • Suffolk University 24/28
  • WCU 24/28
  • SAT Range
  • Suffolk University 1090/1300
  • WCU 1100/1270
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Suffolk University Test optional
  • WCU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Suffolk University Feb 15, 2027
  • WCU
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Suffolk University 15:1
  • WCU 20:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Suffolk University
    • Business (39%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (14%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • WCU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (16%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • English and Literature (9%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Suffolk University 54%
  • WCU 68%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Suffolk University $59,100
  • WCU $49,000
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Suffolk University 70%
  • WCU 75%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Suffolk University $27,000
  • WCU $23,500
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Suffolk University $279
  • WCU $242
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Suffolk University 36%
  • WCU 40%
  • % Women
  • Suffolk University 64%
  • WCU 60%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Suffolk University Very High
  • WCU Low
  • HBCU
  • Suffolk University No
  • WCU No
  • % White
  • Suffolk University 40%
  • WCU 78%
  • % Asian
  • Suffolk University 8%
  • WCU 2%
  • % Black
  • Suffolk University 6%
  • WCU 11%
  • % Hispanic
  • Suffolk University 11%
  • WCU 5%
  • % Native American
  • Suffolk University 0%
  • WCU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Suffolk University 0%
  • WCU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Suffolk University 2%
  • WCU 3%
  • % International
  • Suffolk University 23%
  • WCU 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Suffolk University 9%
  • WCU 0%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Suffolk University 58%
  • WCU 86%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Suffolk University 31%
  • WCU 13%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Suffolk University Yes
  • WCU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Suffolk University No
  • WCU No
  • Meal Plan
  • Suffolk University Yes
  • WCU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Suffolk University Yes
  • WCU No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Suffolk University No
  • WCU No

Comparable Facts

Compare Suffolk University in Boston, MA 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 Suffolk University based on total student enrollment (17,171 students vs. 6,356 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Suffolk University is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); West Chester University of Pennsylvania is in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Suffolk 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: Suffolk University 15:1; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1.

Suffolk University vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Suffolk 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 Suffolk University ($22,546 vs. $33,832).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania are 30.5% lower than at Suffolk University ($14,828 vs. $21,326).
  • Suffolk University is 341.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $36,775 more per year; $47,550.00 vs. $10,775.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 110.4% higher at Suffolk University than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (about $24,951 more per year; $47,550.00 vs. $22,599.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Suffolk University than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (98% vs. 73%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Suffolk University students is 452.8% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($31,558 vs. $5,709).

Suffolk University vs. WCU Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Suffolk University (1200) is 10 points higher than at WCU (1190).
  • Incoming Suffolk University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 26) as students at WCU (26).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Suffolk University 1090/1300; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Suffolk University 24/28; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Suffolk University - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Suffolk University Feb 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at Suffolk University (3.33).
  • Suffolk University has a higher acceptance rate (82.3%) than WCU (78.4%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.9% at Suffolk University vs. 22.4% at WCU.

Suffolk University vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Suffolk 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 Suffolk University's (54%).
  • Graduates from Suffolk University earn a median of about $10,100 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,100 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, West Chester University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Suffolk University graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Suffolk University graduates ($242 vs. $279).
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Suffolk University students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 70%)

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.