SUNY Cortland vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare State University of New York at Cortland in Cortland, 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 SUNY Cortland based on total student enrollment (17,171 students vs. 6,938 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• State University of New York at Cortland is located in Cortland, NY (Rural Fringe setting); West Chester University of Pennsylvania is in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• State University of New York at Cortland 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: State University of New York at Cortland 15:1; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1.

SUNY Cortland vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SUNY Cortland 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 State University of New York at Cortland than WCU ($19,847 vs. $22,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania are 4.7% lower than at State University of New York at Cortland ($14,828 vs. $15,560).
• West Chester University of Pennsylvania is 21.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Cortland (about $1,901 more per year; $10,775.00 vs. $8,874.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.3% higher at WCU than at State University of New York at Cortland (about $3,815 more per year; $22,599.00 vs. $18,784.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at West Chester University of Pennsylvania than at State University of New York at Cortland (73% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by State University of New York at Cortland students is 44.6% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($8,254 vs. $5,709).

SUNY Cortland vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SUNY Cortland 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 SUNY Cortland.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (1190) is 20 points higher than at SUNY Cortland (1170).
• Incoming WCU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at SUNY Cortland).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: State University of New York at Cortland 1090/1240; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: State University of New York at Cortland 22/27; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SUNY Cortland - Test-free; WCU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman SUNY Cortland students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at WCU (3.43).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (78.4%) than SUNY Cortland (59.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.3% at SUNY Cortland vs. 22.4% at WCU.

SUNY Cortland vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SUNY Cortland 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 State University of New York at Cortland's (67%).
• Graduates from West Chester University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $1,700 more per year than SUNY Cortland graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $47,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, State University of New York at Cortland graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($21,500 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Cortland graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($222 vs. $242).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Cortland students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 75%)

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.