W&J vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, PA 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 W&J based on total student enrollment (17,171 students vs. 1,309 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Washington & Jefferson College is located in Washington, PA (Large Suburban setting); West Chester University of Pennsylvania is in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Washington & Jefferson College 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: Washington & Jefferson College 11:1; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1.

W&J vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, W&J 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 W&J ($22,546 vs. $22,702).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Washington & Jefferson College are 0.8% lower than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($14,710 vs. $14,828).
• Washington & Jefferson College is 172.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $18,617 more per year; $29,392.00 vs. $10,775.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.1% higher at W&J than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (about $6,793 more per year; $29,392.00 vs. $22,599.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington & Jefferson College than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington & Jefferson College students is 253% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($20,152 vs. $5,709).

W&J vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, W&J 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 W&J.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (1190) is 60 points higher than at W&J (1130).
• Incoming WCU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at W&J).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Washington & Jefferson College 1010/1250; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Washington & Jefferson College 19/28; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: W&J - Test-free; WCU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman W&J students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at WCU (3.43).
• W&J has a higher acceptance rate (80.6%) than WCU (78.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.6% at W&J vs. 22.4% at WCU.

W&J vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for W&J 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).

• Washington & Jefferson College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than West Chester University of Pennsylvania's (68%).
• Graduates from Washington & Jefferson College earn a median of about $7,900 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 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 W&J graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than W&J graduates ($242 vs. $279).
• More W&J graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.