Penn vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Pennsylvania is larger than WCU based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 17,171 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Pennsylvania is located in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting); West Chester University of Pennsylvania is in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 8:1; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1.

Penn vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn 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 Penn ($22,546 vs. $23,570).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania are 22.7% lower than at University of Pennsylvania ($14,828 vs. $19,174).
• University of Pennsylvania is 537.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $57,911 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $10,775.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 203.9% higher at Penn than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (about $46,087 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $22,599.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at West Chester University of Pennsylvania than at University of Pennsylvania (73% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 1,046.6% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($65,458 vs. $5,709).

Penn vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn 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 Penn.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pennsylvania (1540) is 350 points higher than at WCU (1190).
• Incoming Penn students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 26 at WCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Pennsylvania 34/36; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn - Required; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Penn Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn students have a 0.52 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at WCU (3.43).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (78.4%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 68% at Penn vs. 22.4% at WCU.

Penn vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn 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).

• University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than West Chester University of Pennsylvania's (68%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $74,600 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $2,867 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($20,633 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Penn graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($213 vs. $242).
• More Penn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.