University of Akron vs. WCU

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

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University of Akron Main Campus vs. West Chester University of Pennsylvania comparison
University of Akron Main Campus West Chester University of Pennsylvania College 3 College 4
University of Akron Main Campus West Chester University of Pennsylvania
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Overview

University of Akron WCU
Location Akron, OH West Chester, PA
Setting Midsize City Large Suburban
Enrollment 13,465 17,275
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #838 #496
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uakron.edu wcupa.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Akron WCU
Tuition (In State) $10,097 $7,716
Tuition (Out of State) $13,170 $19,290
Room & Board $12,410 $14,228
Avg Net Price $14,667 $22,973
Avg Grant Aid $8,525 $5,443
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 64%

Admission

University of Akron WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,282 14,778
Admitted 10,178 12,982
Acceptance Rate 82.9%Open 87.8%
Enrolled % 20.8%Open 23.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.47 3.43
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/25 23/30
SAT Range 980/1230 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 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

University of Akron WCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Engineering Technology (6%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • English and Literature (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)

Outcomes

University of Akron WCU
Graduation Rate 38% 68%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,100 $49,000
Making Student Loan Payments 45% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,500 $23,500
Median Loan Payment $263 $242

Diversity

University of Akron WCU
% Men 50% 39%
% Women 50% 61%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 74% 78%
% Black 12% 11%
% Hispanic 2% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 2% 0%
% Unknown Race 3% 0%

Students

University of Akron WCU
% In-State 92% 87%
% Out-of-State 7% 12%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • West Chester University of Pennsylvania is larger than than University of Akron based on total student enrollment (17,275 students vs. 13,465 students)

University of Akron vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Akron or WCU?

  • University of Akron Main Campus is 30.9% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($10,097.00 vs. $7,716.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 46.5% higher at WCU than University of Akron Main Campus ($19,290.00 vs. $13,170.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Akron Main Campus than WCU ($14,667 vs. $22,973)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Akron Main Campus are 14.6% lower than costs at West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($12,410 vs. $14,228)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Akron Main Campus than West Chester University of Pennsylvania (96% vs. 64%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Akron Main Campus students is 56.6% larger than aid received West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($8,525 vs. $5,443)

University of Akron vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (1072) is 23 points higher than at University of Akron (1049)
  • Incoming WCU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at University of Akron (23)
  • Accepted freshman University of Akron students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at WCU (3.43)
  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than University of Akron (82.9%)

University of Akron vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of Akron 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 University of Akron.

  • The graduation rate at WCU is higher than University of Akron Main Campus (68% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from West Chester University of Pennsylvania earn on average $8,900 more per year than University of Akron graduates after ten years. ($49,000 vs. $40,100)
  • West Chester University of Pennsylvania students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Akron graduates. ($23,500 vs. $25,500)
  • WCU graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than University of Akron graduates. ($242 vs. $263)
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Akron students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 45%)

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