WCU vs. Roanoke College

Comparable Facts

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

West Chester University of Pennsylvania is larger than Roanoke College based on total student enrollment (17,171 students vs. 1,804 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

WCU vs. Roanoke College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU or Roanoke College? 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 Roanoke College ($22,546 vs. $26,044).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania are 3.5% lower than at Roanoke College ($14,828 vs. $15,366).
• Roanoke College is 253.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $27,293 more per year; $38,068.00 vs. $10,775.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 68.4% higher at Roanoke College than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (about $15,469 more per year; $38,068.00 vs. $22,599.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Roanoke College than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Roanoke College students is 393.7% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($28,188 vs. $5,709).

WCU vs. Roanoke College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WCU or Roanoke College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Roanoke College and WCU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Roanoke College (1200) is 10 points higher than at WCU (1190).
• Incoming Roanoke College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (27 vs. 26 at WCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270; Roanoke College 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: West Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28; Roanoke College 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WCU - Test optional; Roanoke College - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman Roanoke College students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at WCU (3.43).
• Roanoke College has a higher acceptance rate (83.1%) than WCU (78.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at WCU vs. 9.7% at Roanoke College.

WCU vs. Roanoke College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WCU and Roanoke College? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Roanoke College's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than West Chester University of Pennsylvania's (68%).
• Graduates from Roanoke College earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,200 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 Roanoke College graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Roanoke College graduates ($242 vs. $279).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Roanoke College 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.