WCU vs. HSC- Hampden-Sydney

Comparable Facts

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

West Chester University of Pennsylvania is larger than HSC- Hampden-Sydney based on total student enrollment (17,171 students vs. 946 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• West Chester University of Pennsylvania is located in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting); Hampden Sydney College is in Hampden-Sydney, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Hampden Sydney College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1; Hampden Sydney College 9:1.

WCU vs. HSC- Hampden-Sydney Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU or HSC- Hampden-Sydney? 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 HSC- Hampden-Sydney ($22,546 vs. $29,717).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania are 11.4% lower than at Hampden Sydney College ($14,828 vs. $16,732).
• Hampden Sydney College is 406.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $43,775 more per year; $54,550.00 vs. $10,775.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 141.4% higher at HSC- Hampden-Sydney than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (about $31,951 more per year; $54,550.00 vs. $22,599.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hampden Sydney College than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hampden Sydney College students is 613.3% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($40,720 vs. $5,709).

WCU vs. HSC- Hampden-Sydney Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WCU or HSC- Hampden-Sydney? 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 HSC- Hampden-Sydney and WCU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (1190) is 50 points higher than at HSC- Hampden-Sydney (1140).
• Incoming WCU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at HSC- Hampden-Sydney).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270; Hampden Sydney College 1030/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: West Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28; Hampden Sydney College 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WCU - Test optional; HSC- Hampden-Sydney - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: HSC- Hampden-Sydney Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman HSC- Hampden-Sydney students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at WCU (3.43).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (78.4%) than HSC- Hampden-Sydney (40.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at WCU vs. 22.8% at HSC- Hampden-Sydney.

WCU vs. HSC- Hampden-Sydney Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WCU and HSC- Hampden-Sydney? 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 Hampden Sydney College's (67%).
• Graduates from Hampden Sydney College earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,000 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 HSC- Hampden-Sydney graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HSC- Hampden-Sydney graduates ($242 vs. $279).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former HSC- Hampden-Sydney students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.