WCU vs. VWC

Comparable Facts

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

West Chester University of Pennsylvania is larger than VWC based on total student enrollment (17,171 students vs. 1,853 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• West Chester University of Pennsylvania is located in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting); Virginia Wesleyan University is in Virginia Beach, VA (Large City setting).
• West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1; Virginia Wesleyan University 15:1.

WCU vs. VWC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU or VWC? 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 Virginia Wesleyan University than WCU ($21,267 vs. $22,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Wesleyan University are 19.5% lower than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($11,930 vs. $14,828).
• Virginia Wesleyan University is 248% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $26,725 more per year; $37,500.00 vs. $10,775.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 65.9% higher at VWC than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (about $14,901 more per year; $37,500.00 vs. $22,599.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Wesleyan University than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Wesleyan University students is 424.1% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($29,923 vs. $5,709).

WCU vs. VWC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Wesleyan University (1250) is 60 points higher than at WCU (1190).
• Incoming VWC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at WCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270; Virginia Wesleyan University 1140/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: West Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28; Virginia Wesleyan University 28/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WCU - Test optional; VWC - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at VWC (3.39).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (78.4%) than VWC (72.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at WCU vs. 11.9% at VWC.

WCU vs. VWC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WCU and VWC? 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 Virginia Wesleyan University's (48%).
• Graduates from West Chester University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than VWC graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $41,700), 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 VWC graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VWC graduates ($242 vs. $279).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VWC students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 57%)

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.