University at Albany- SUNY vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare University at Albany in Albany, NY with West Chester University of Pennsylvania in West Chester, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University at Albany is larger than WCU based on total student enrollment (17,560 students vs. 17,171 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University at Albany is located in Albany, NY (Small City setting); West Chester University of Pennsylvania is in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• University at Albany 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: University at Albany 16:1; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1.

University at Albany- SUNY vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University at Albany- SUNY 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 University at Albany than WCU ($17,949 vs. $22,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania are 9.7% lower than at University at Albany ($14,828 vs. $16,423).
• University at Albany is 0.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $91 more per year; $10,866.00 vs. $10,775.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.3% higher at University at Albany- SUNY than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (about $8,657 more per year; $31,256.00 vs. $22,599.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University at Albany than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (96% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University at Albany students is 96.4% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($11,210 vs. $5,709).

University at Albany- SUNY vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University at Albany- SUNY 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 University at Albany- SUNY.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University at Albany (1220) is 30 points higher than at WCU (1190).
• Incoming University at Albany- SUNY 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: University at Albany 1120/1320; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University at Albany 22/31; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University at Albany- SUNY - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University at Albany- SUNY Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at University at Albany- SUNY (3.3).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (78.4%) than University at Albany- SUNY (69.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.6% at University at Albany- SUNY vs. 22.4% at WCU.

University at Albany- SUNY vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University at Albany- SUNY 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 University at Albany's (64%).
• Graduates from University at Albany earn a median of about $6,800 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,800 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University at Albany graduates have a $2,435 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($21,065 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, University at Albany- SUNY graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($217 vs. $242).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University at Albany- SUNY 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.