WCU vs. Randolph

Comparable Facts

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

West Chester University of Pennsylvania is larger than Randolph based on total student enrollment (17,171 students vs. 816 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• West Chester University of Pennsylvania is located in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting); Randolph College is in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting).
• West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Randolph College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1; Randolph College 8:1.

WCU vs. Randolph Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU or Randolph? 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 Randolph College than WCU ($21,668 vs. $22,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Randolph College are 16.7% lower than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($12,350 vs. $14,828).
• Randolph College is 181.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $19,535 more per year; $30,310.00 vs. $10,775.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.1% higher at Randolph than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (about $7,711 more per year; $30,310.00 vs. $22,599.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Randolph College than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Randolph College students is 309.4% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($23,372 vs. $5,709).

WCU vs. Randolph Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WCU or Randolph? 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 Randolph and WCU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (1190) is 30 points higher than at Randolph (1160).
• Incoming WCU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at Randolph).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270; Randolph College 1100/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: West Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28; Randolph College 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WCU - Test optional; Randolph - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at Randolph (3.35).
• Randolph has a higher acceptance rate (93.7%) than WCU (78.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at WCU vs. 11.7% at Randolph.

WCU vs. Randolph Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WCU and Randolph? 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 Randolph College's (63%).
• Graduates from West Chester University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than Randolph graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $43,200), 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 Randolph graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Randolph graduates ($242 vs. $279).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Randolph students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 63%)

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.