Worcester State University vs. WCU

Deciding between Worcester State University and West Chester University of Pennsylvania? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Worcester State University
West Chester University of Pennsylvania

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Worcester State University Worcester, MA
  • WCU West Chester, PA
  • Setting
  • Worcester State University Midsize City
  • WCU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Worcester State University 5,745
  • WCU 17,171
  • Type
  • Worcester State University Public 4 Year
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Worcester State University #558
  • WCU #505
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Worcester State University -
  • WCU -
  • Status
  • Worcester State University Non-profit
  • WCU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Worcester State University
  • WCU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Worcester State University $11,786
  • WCU $10,775
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Worcester State University $17,866
  • WCU $22,599
  • Room & Board
  • Worcester State University $14,307
  • WCU $14,828
  • Average Net Price
  • Worcester State University $12,778
  • WCU $22,546
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Worcester State University $9,464
  • WCU $5,709
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Worcester State University 80%
  • WCU 73%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Worcester State University 5,156
  • WCU 17,193
  • Admitted
  • Worcester State University 4,537
  • WCU 13,479
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Worcester State University 88%
  • WCU 78.4%
  • Enrolled
  • Worcester State University 16.7%
  • WCU 22.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Worcester State University 1150
  • WCU 1190
  • Typical ACT score
  • Worcester State University
  • WCU 26
  • Average High School GPA
  • Worcester State University 3.3
  • WCU 3.43
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Worcester State University B+
  • WCU B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Worcester State University Average
  • WCU Average
  • Applicant Competition
  • Worcester State University
  • WCU
  • ACT Range
  • Worcester State University
  • WCU 24/28
  • SAT Range
  • Worcester State University 1026/1283
  • WCU 1100/1270
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Worcester State University Test optional
  • WCU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Worcester State University Jun 1, 2027
  • WCU
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Worcester State University 16:1
  • WCU 20:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Worcester State University
    • Business (21%)
    • Psychology (15%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • WCU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (16%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • English and Literature (9%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Worcester State University 47%
  • WCU 68%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Worcester State University $49,200
  • WCU $49,000
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Worcester State University 66%
  • WCU 75%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Worcester State University $20,000
  • WCU $23,500
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Worcester State University $206
  • WCU $242
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Worcester State University 38%
  • WCU 40%
  • % Women
  • Worcester State University 62%
  • WCU 60%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Worcester State University Low
  • WCU Low
  • HBCU
  • Worcester State University No
  • WCU No
  • % White
  • Worcester State University 71%
  • WCU 78%
  • % Asian
  • Worcester State University 4%
  • WCU 2%
  • % Black
  • Worcester State University 8%
  • WCU 11%
  • % Hispanic
  • Worcester State University 9%
  • WCU 5%
  • % Native American
  • Worcester State University 0%
  • WCU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Worcester State University 0%
  • WCU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Worcester State University 3%
  • WCU 3%
  • % International
  • Worcester State University 1%
  • WCU 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Worcester State University 4%
  • WCU 0%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Worcester State University 93%
  • WCU 86%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Worcester State University 6%
  • WCU 13%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Worcester State University Yes
  • WCU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Worcester State University No
  • WCU No
  • Meal Plan
  • Worcester State University Yes
  • WCU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Worcester State University Yes
  • WCU No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Worcester State University No
  • WCU No

Comparable Facts

Compare Worcester State University in Worcester, MA with West Chester University of Pennsylvania in West Chester, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

West Chester University of Pennsylvania is larger than Worcester State University based on total student enrollment (17,171 students vs. 5,745 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Worcester State University is located in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting); West Chester University of Pennsylvania is in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Worcester State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Worcester State University 16:1; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1.

Worcester State University vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Worcester State University or WCU? 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 Worcester State University than WCU ($12,778 vs. $22,546).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Worcester State University are 3.5% lower than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($14,307 vs. $14,828).
  • Worcester State University is 9.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $1,011 more per year; $11,786.00 vs. $10,775.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 26.5% higher at WCU than at Worcester State University (about $4,733 more per year; $22,599.00 vs. $17,866.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Worcester State University than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (80% vs. 73%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Worcester State University students is 65.8% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($9,464 vs. $5,709).

Worcester State University vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Worcester State University or WCU? 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 WCU and Worcester State University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (1190) is 40 points higher than at Worcester State University (1150).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Worcester State University 1026/1283; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWest Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Worcester State University - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Worcester State University Jun 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at Worcester State University (3.3).
  • Worcester State University has a higher acceptance rate (88%) than WCU (78.4%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at Worcester State University vs. 22.4% at WCU.

Worcester State University vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Worcester State University and WCU? 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).

  • West Chester University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Worcester State University's (47%).
  • Graduates from Worcester State University earn a median of about $200 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Worcester State University graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($20,000 vs. $23,500).
  • Among borrowers, Worcester State University graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($206 vs. $242).
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Worcester State University students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 66%)

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.