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Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus ECSU SCSU PennWest Clarion Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania CCSU Penn State Schuylkill Robert Morris University Concord University Frostburg State University Buffalo State College Millersville University of Pennsylvania| Western Connecticut State University | PennWest California | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
WestConn | PennWest California | ||
| Location | Danbury, CT | California, PA | ||
| Setting | Small City | Town Fringe | ||
| Enrollment | 4,137 | 6,509 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #506 | #1038 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | wcsu.edu | calu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
WestConn | PennWest California | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $6,664 | $7,716 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $9,996 | $11,574 | ||
| Room & Board | $15,131 | $10,416 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $16,527 | - | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $7,943 | $0 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 63% | 0% |
Admission |
WestConn | PennWest California | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 5,457 | - | ||
| Admitted | 4,440 | - | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 81.4% | |||
| Enrolled % | 16% | |||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.38 | 3.31 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Easy | Very Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 20/27 | 18/24 | ||
| SAT Range | 840/1150 | 940/1150 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | |||
| Application Deadline | Aug 22, 2026 |
Academics |
WestConn | PennWest California | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 11:1 | 19:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
WestConn | PennWest California | ||
| Graduation Rate | 40% | 53% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $47,400 | $42,500 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 65% | 64% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $25,000 | $25,000 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $258 | $258 |
Diversity |
WestConn | PennWest California | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 4% | 39% | ||
| % Women | 10% | 61% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 61% | 77% | ||
| % Black | 12% | 12% | ||
| % Hispanic | 18% | 3% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 1% | 3% | ||
| % International | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 3% | 2% |
Students |
WestConn | PennWest California | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 71% | 86% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 29% | 13% | ||
Campus |
WestConn | PennWest California | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | Yes | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- PennWest California is larger than than WestConn based on total student enrollment (6,509 students vs. 4,137 students)
WestConn vs. PennWest California Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, WestConn or PennWest California?
- PennWest California is 15.8% more expensive to attend than WestConn for in-state tuition ($7,716.00 vs. $6,664.00)
- Out of state tuition is 15.8% higher at PennWest California than Western Connecticut State University ($11,574.00 vs. $9,996.00)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at PennWest California are 45.3% lower than costs at Western Connecticut State University ($10,416 vs. $15,131)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Western Connecticut State University than PennWest California (63% vs. 0%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Western Connecticut State University students is ?% larger than aid received PennWest California ($7,943 vs. $0)
Which college is harder to get into, WestConn or PennWest California? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PennWest California or WestConn .
- Accepted freshman WestConn students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at PennWest California (3.31)
WestConn vs. PennWest California Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, WestConn or PennWest California? 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 PennWest California and WestConn.
- The graduation rate at PennWest California is higher than Western Connecticut State University (53% vs. 40%)
- Graduates from Western Connecticut State University earn on average $4,900 more per year than PennWest California graduates after ten years. ($47,400 vs. $42,500)
- PennWest California and WestConn graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($25,000 vs. $25,000)
- PennWest California and WestConn graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($258 vs. $258)
- More WestConn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PennWest California students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 64%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/