WCU vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than WCU based on total student enrollment (28,464 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); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

WCU vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU or VCU? 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 VCU ($22,546 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania are 18.8% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($14,828 vs. $18,254).
• Virginia Commonwealth University is 57.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $6,170 more per year; $16,945.00 vs. $10,775.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 77.5% higher at VCU than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (about $17,510 more per year; $40,109.00 vs. $22,599.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Commonwealth University than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (88% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students is 148.5% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($14,186 vs. $5,709).

WCU vs. VCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (1190) is 50 points higher than at VCU (1140).
• Incoming WCU students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 26) as students at VCU (26).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: West Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WCU - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman VCU students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at WCU (3.43).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than WCU (78.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at WCU vs. 21.6% at VCU.

WCU vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WCU and VCU? 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.

• West Chester University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Virginia Commonwealth University's (53%).
• Graduates from West Chester University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than VCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Commonwealth University graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($23,250 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, VCU graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($240 vs. $242).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 56%)

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.