WCU vs. WVU

Should I go to West Chester University of Pennsylvania or West Virginia University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if WCU or WVU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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West Chester University of Pennsylvania vs. West Virginia University comparison
West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Virginia University College 3 College 4
West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Virginia University
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Overview

 WCU WVU
Location West Chester, PA Morgantown, WV
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 17,275 24,741
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #496 #559
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wcupa.edu wvu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 WCU WVU
Tuition (In State) $7,716 $9,360
Tuition (Out of State) $19,290 $26,568
Room & Board $14,228 $11,618
Avg Net Price $22,973 $12,202
Avg Grant Aid $5,443 $11,685
% Receiving Grant Aid 64% 94%

Admission

 WCU WVU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 14,778 18,206
Admitted 12,982 16,091
Acceptance Rate 87.8% 88.4%
Enrolled % 23.2% 28.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.43 3.45
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/30 20/26
SAT Range 1080/1260 1000/1220
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

 WCU WVU
Student to Faculty Ratio 20:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • English and Literature (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Engineering (11%)
  • General Studies (10%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Health Professions (8%)

Outcomes

 WCU WVU
Graduation Rate 68% 57%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,000 $50,600
Making Student Loan Payments 75% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,500 $24,001
Median Loan Payment $242 $248

Diversity

 WCU WVU
% Men 39% 47%
% Women 61% 53%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 78% 81%
% Black 11% 5%
% Hispanic 5% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 0% 6%
% Unknown Race 0% 0%

Students

 WCU WVU
% In-State 87% 42%
% Out-of-State 12% 57%

Campus

 WCU WVU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • West Virginia University is larger than than WCU based on total student enrollment (24,741 students vs. 17,275 students)

WCU vs. WVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU or WVU?

  • West Virginia University is 21.3% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($9,360.00 vs. $7,716.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 37.7% higher at WVU than West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($26,568.00 vs. $19,290.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at West Virginia University than WCU ($12,202 vs. $22,973)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Virginia University are 22.5% lower than costs at West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($11,618 vs. $14,228)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at West Virginia University than West Chester University of Pennsylvania (94% vs. 64%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by West Virginia University students is 114.7% larger than aid received West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($11,685 vs. $5,443)

WCU vs. WVU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WCU or WVU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between WVU or WCU .

  • The average SAT score at West Virginia University (1078) is 6 points higher than at WCU (1072)
  • Incoming WCU students have at the same average ACT score (24) as students at WVU (24)
  • Accepted 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 (88.4%) than WCU (87.8%)

WCU vs. WVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WCU or WVU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between WVU and WCU.

  • The graduation rate at WCU is higher than West Virginia University (68% vs. 57%)
  • Graduates from West Virginia University earn on average $1,600 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($50,600 vs. $49,000)
  • West Chester University of Pennsylvania students graduate with a $501 lower median federal student loan debt than WVU graduates. ($23,500 vs. $24,001)
  • WCU graduates are paying $6 less per month on federal student loans 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/