WCU vs. Westminster College

Comparable Facts

Compare West Chester University of Pennsylvania in West Chester, PA with Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

West Chester University of Pennsylvania is larger than Westminster College based on total student enrollment (17,171 students vs. 1,191 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• West Chester University of Pennsylvania is located in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting); Westminster College is in New Wilmington, PA (Town Fringe setting).
• West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Westminster College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1; Westminster College 12:1.

WCU vs. Westminster College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU or Westminster College? 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 Westminster College than WCU ($20,394 vs. $22,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Westminster College are 13.1% lower than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($12,880 vs. $14,828).
• Westminster College is 273.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $29,515 more per year; $40,290.00 vs. $10,775.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 78.3% higher at Westminster College than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (about $17,691 more per year; $40,290.00 vs. $22,599.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Westminster College than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Westminster College students is 470.2% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($32,553 vs. $5,709).

WCU vs. Westminster College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (1190) is 40 points higher than at Westminster College (1150).
• Incoming WCU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at Westminster College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270; Westminster College 1040/1258.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: West Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28; Westminster College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WCU - Test optional; Westminster College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Westminster College students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at WCU (3.43).
• Westminster College 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. 12.1% at Westminster College.

WCU vs. Westminster College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WCU and Westminster College? 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).

• Westminster College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than West Chester University of Pennsylvania's (68%).
• Graduates from West Chester University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than Westminster College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $45,700), 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 Westminster College graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Westminster College graduates ($242 vs. $279).
• More Westminster College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 75%)

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.