Western New England University vs. Penn State Brandywine

Comparable Facts

Compare Western New England University in Springfield, MA with Penn State Brandywine in Media, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western New England University is larger than Penn State Brandywine based on total student enrollment (3,674 students vs. 1,236 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western New England University is located in Springfield, MA (Midsize City setting); Penn State Brandywine is in Media, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Western New England University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Brandywine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western New England University 12:1; Penn State Brandywine 15:1.

Western New England University vs. Penn State Brandywine Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western New England University or Penn State Brandywine? 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 Penn State Brandywine than Western New England University ($22,710 vs. $27,056).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Brandywine are 7% lower than at Western New England University ($14,474 vs. $15,570).
• Western New England University is 214.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Brandywine (about $32,612 more per year; $47,820.00 vs. $15,208.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 88.3% higher at Western New England University than at Penn State Brandywine (about $22,428 more per year; $47,820.00 vs. $25,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western New England University than at Penn State Brandywine (97% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western New England University students is 262.9% larger than aid received by Penn State Brandywine students ($33,067 vs. $9,113).

Western New England University vs. Penn State Brandywine Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western New England University or Penn State Brandywine? 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 Brandywine and Western New England University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western New England University (1200) is the same as at Penn State Brandywine (1200).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western New England University 1090/1300; Penn State Brandywine 1080/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western New England University 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Western New England University - Test optional; Penn State Brandywine - Test optional.
• Penn State Brandywine has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Western New England University (83.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at Western New England University vs. 16.8% at Penn State Brandywine.

Western New England University vs. Penn State Brandywine Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Western New England University and Penn State Brandywine? 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).

• Western New England University's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Penn State Brandywine's (37%).
• Graduates from Western New England University earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than Penn State Brandywine graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Brandywine graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Western New England University graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Brandywine graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western New England University graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Western New England University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Brandywine students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 69%)

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.