WestConn vs. Penn State Schuylkill

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, CT with Penn State Schuylkill in Schuylkill Haven, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Connecticut State University is larger than Penn State Schuylkill based on total student enrollment (4,169 students vs. 624 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Connecticut State University is located in Danbury, CT (Small City setting); Penn State Schuylkill is in Schuylkill Haven, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Western Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Schuylkill is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Connecticut State University 11:1; Penn State Schuylkill 14:1.

WestConn vs. Penn State Schuylkill Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WestConn or Penn State Schuylkill? 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 Western Connecticut State University than Penn State Schuylkill ($17,185 vs. $19,039).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Schuylkill are 7.6% lower than at Western Connecticut State University ($14,474 vs. $15,659).
• Penn State Schuylkill is 13.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than WestConn (about $1,807 more per year; $15,208.00 vs. $13,401.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.2% higher at Penn State Schuylkill than at Western Connecticut State University (about $8,491 more per year; $25,392.00 vs. $16,901.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Connecticut State University than at Penn State Schuylkill (86% vs. 85%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Connecticut State University students is 10.5% larger than aid received by Penn State Schuylkill students ($12,870 vs. $11,645).

WestConn vs. Penn State Schuylkill Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WestConn or Penn State Schuylkill? 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 Penn State Schuylkill and WestConn.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Schuylkill (1130) is 20 points higher than at WestConn (1110).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Connecticut State University 1040/1170; Penn State Schuylkill 1020/1230.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WestConn - Test optional; Penn State Schuylkill - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WestConn students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at Penn State Schuylkill (3.2).
• Penn State Schuylkill has a higher acceptance rate (96.6%) than WestConn (87%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at WestConn vs. 20% at Penn State Schuylkill.

WestConn vs. Penn State Schuylkill Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WestConn and Penn State Schuylkill? 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).

• Penn State Schuylkill's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than Western Connecticut State University's (40%).
• Graduates from Penn State Schuylkill earn a median of about $7,900 more per year than WestConn graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Connecticut State University graduates have a $1,818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Schuylkill graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, WestConn graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Schuylkill graduates ($258 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Schuylkill graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WestConn students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 65%)

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.