WCU vs. WVU

Comparable Facts

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

West Virginia University is larger than WCU based on total student enrollment (23,643 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); West Virginia University is in Morgantown, WV (Small City setting).
• West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1; West Virginia University 19:1.

WCU vs. WVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU or WVU? 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 Virginia University than WCU ($15,169 vs. $22,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Virginia University are 1.7% lower than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($14,582 vs. $14,828).
• West Chester University of Pennsylvania is 6.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than WVU (about $671 more per year; $10,775.00 vs. $10,104.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.6% higher at WVU than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (about $6,009 more per year; $28,608.00 vs. $22,599.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at West Virginia University than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (94% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by West Virginia University students is 116.6% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($12,363 vs. $5,709).

WCU vs. WVU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (1190) is 70 points higher than at WVU (1120).
• Incoming WCU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (26 vs. 23 at WVU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270; West Virginia University 1010/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: West Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28; West Virginia University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WCU - Test optional; WVU - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman WVU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at WCU (3.43).
• WVU has a higher acceptance rate (89%) than WCU (78.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at WCU vs. 24.8% at WVU.

WCU vs. WVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WCU and WVU? 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 West Virginia University's (57%).
• Graduates from West Virginia University earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Chester University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $501 lower median loan debt than WVU graduates ($23,500 vs. $24,001).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WVU graduates ($242 vs. $248).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WVU students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 59%)

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.