WCU vs. URI

Comparable Facts

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

University of Rhode Island is larger than WCU based on total student enrollment (17,210 students vs. 17,171 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• West Chester University of Pennsylvania is located in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting); University of Rhode Island is in Kingston, RI (Large Suburban setting).
• West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Rhode Island is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1; University of Rhode Island 17:1.

WCU vs. URI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU or URI? 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 URI ($22,546 vs. $24,118).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania are 5% lower than at University of Rhode Island ($14,828 vs. $15,607).
• University of Rhode Island is 57.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $6,167 more per year; $16,942.00 vs. $10,775.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 64.4% higher at URI than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (about $14,547 more per year; $37,146.00 vs. $22,599.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Rhode Island than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (96% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Rhode Island students is 120.3% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($12,578 vs. $5,709).

WCU vs. URI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (1190) is 40 points higher than at URI (1150).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270; University of Rhode Island 1020/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: West Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WCU - Test optional; URI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: URI Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman URI students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.58) than students at WCU (3.43).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (78.4%) than URI (72.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at WCU vs. 15.4% at URI.

WCU vs. URI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WCU and URI? 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 University of Rhode Island's (63%).
• Graduates from University of Rhode Island earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Rhode Island graduates have a $62 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($23,438 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, University of Rhode Island and WCU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($242 vs. $242).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former URI students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 69%)

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.