UHart vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Hartford in West Hartford, CT 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 UHart based on total student enrollment (17,171 students vs. 6,015 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Hartford is located in West Hartford, CT (Midsize City setting); West Chester University of Pennsylvania is in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Hartford is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Hartford 11:1; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1.

UHart vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UHart 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 West Chester University of Pennsylvania than UHart ($22,546 vs. $31,261).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Hartford are 2% lower than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($14,532 vs. $14,828).
• University of Hartford is 355.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $38,300 more per year; $49,075.00 vs. $10,775.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 117.2% higher at UHart than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (about $26,476 more per year; $49,075.00 vs. $22,599.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Hartford than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Hartford students is 485.8% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($33,446 vs. $5,709).

UHart vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UHart 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 UHart.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Hartford (1220) is 30 points higher than at WCU (1190).
• Incoming UHart students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at WCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Hartford 1120/1310; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Hartford 24/30; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UHart - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at UHart (3.26).
• UHart has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than WCU (78.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10% at UHart vs. 22.4% at WCU.

UHart vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UHart 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 of Hartford's (56%).
• Graduates from University of Hartford earn a median of about $600 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,600 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Chester University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than UHart graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UHart graduates ($242 vs. $279).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UHart 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.