Jefferson vs. WCU

Should I go to Thomas Jefferson University or West Chester University of Pennsylvania? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Jefferson 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

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

Temple Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania Millersville University of Pennsylvania Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Penn State TU Drexel WVU Ship Pitt Penn State Brandywine Penn State Abington
Thomas Jefferson University vs. West Chester University of Pennsylvania comparison
Thomas Jefferson University West Chester University of Pennsylvania College 3 College 4
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 Jefferson WCU
Location Philadelphia, PA West Chester, PA
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 8,286 17,275
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #496
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website jefferson.edu wcupa.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Jefferson WCU
Tuition (In State) $43,100 $7,716
Tuition (Out of State) $43,100 $19,290
Room & Board $14,715 $14,228
Avg Net Price $28,110 $22,973
Avg Grant Aid $32,486 $5,443
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 64%

Admission

 Jefferson WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,723 14,778
Admitted 5,085 12,982
Acceptance Rate 88.9% 87.8%
Enrolled % 14.9% 23.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.73 3.43
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 27/31 23/30
SAT Range 1130/1350 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 Jul 31, 2025

Academics

 Jefferson WCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • English and Literature (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)

Outcomes

 Jefferson WCU
Graduation Rate - 68%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $122,900 $49,000
Making Student Loan Payments 86% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $12,500 $23,500
Median Loan Payment $129 $242

Diversity

 Jefferson WCU
% Men 27% 39%
% Women 73% 61%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 72% 78%
% Black 7% 11%
% Hispanic 1% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 1% 0%
% Unknown Race 7% 0%

Students

 Jefferson WCU
% In-State 63% 87%
% Out-of-State 35% 12%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • West Chester University of Pennsylvania is larger than than Jefferson based on total student enrollment (17,275 students vs. 8,286 students)

Jefferson vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Jefferson or WCU?

  • Thomas Jefferson University is 458.6% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($43,100.00 vs. $7,716.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 123.4% higher at Jefferson than West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($43,100.00 vs. $19,290.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at West Chester University of Pennsylvania than Jefferson ($22,973 vs. $28,110)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania are 3.4% lower than costs at Thomas Jefferson University ($14,228 vs. $14,715)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Thomas Jefferson University than West Chester University of Pennsylvania (100% vs. 64%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Thomas Jefferson University students is 496.8% larger than aid received West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($32,486 vs. $5,443)

Jefferson vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Jefferson students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at WCU (3.43)
  • Jefferson has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than WCU (87.8%)

Jefferson vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Jefferson 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 Jefferson.

  • Graduates from Thomas Jefferson University earn on average $73,900 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($122,900 vs. $49,000)
  • Thomas Jefferson University students graduate with a $11,000 lower median federal student loan debt than WCU graduates. ($12,500 vs. $23,500)
  • Jefferson graduates are paying $113 less per month on federal student loans than WCU graduates. ($129 vs. $242)
  • More Jefferson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 75%)

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