TU vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

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

Towson University is larger than WCU based on total student enrollment (19,401 students vs. 17,171 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Towson University is located in Towson, MD (Small City setting); West Chester University of Pennsylvania is in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Towson University 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: Towson University 14:1; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1.

TU vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TU 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 Towson University than WCU ($16,653 vs. $22,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania are 8.8% lower than at Towson University ($14,828 vs. $16,260).
• Towson University is 8.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $953 more per year; $11,728.00 vs. $10,775.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32% higher at TU than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (about $7,221 more per year; $29,820.00 vs. $22,599.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Towson University as at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (73% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Towson University students is 107% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($11,820 vs. $5,709).

TU vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TU or WCU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WCU and TU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (1190) is 100 points higher than at TU (1090).
• Incoming WCU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (26 vs. 23 at TU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Towson University 950/1235; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Towson University 19/27; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TU - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TU Apr 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman TU students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at WCU (3.43).
• TU has a higher acceptance rate (82%) than WCU (78.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at TU vs. 22.4% at WCU.

TU vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TU and WCU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• West Chester University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Towson University's (64%).
• Graduates from Towson University earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Towson University graduates have a $5,750 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($17,750 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, TU graduates have an estimated $59 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($183 vs. $242).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TU students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 69%)

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.