Youngstown State vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Youngstown State University in Youngstown, OH 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 Youngstown State based on total student enrollment (17,171 students vs. 12,204 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Youngstown State University is located in Youngstown, OH (Small City setting); West Chester University of Pennsylvania is in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Youngstown 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: Youngstown State University 20:1; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1.

Youngstown State vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Youngstown State 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 Youngstown State University than WCU ($12,757 vs. $22,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Youngstown State University are 20.9% lower than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($11,730 vs. $14,828).
• Youngstown State University is 3.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $338 more per year; $11,113.00 vs. $10,775.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 97% higher at WCU than at Youngstown State University (about $11,126 more per year; $22,599.00 vs. $11,473.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Youngstown State University than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (91% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Youngstown State University students is 47.5% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($8,420 vs. $5,709).

Youngstown State vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Youngstown State 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 Youngstown State.

• Youngstown State University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (1190) is 70 points higher than at Youngstown State (1120).
• Incoming WCU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at Youngstown State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Youngstown State University 1010/1230; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Youngstown State University 19/25; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Youngstown State - Open admission; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Youngstown State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Youngstown State students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at WCU (3.43).
• Youngstown State has a higher acceptance rate (84.4%) than WCU (78.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.4% at Youngstown State vs. 22.4% at WCU.

Youngstown State vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Youngstown State 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 Youngstown State University's (35%).
• Graduates from West Chester University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $11,300 more per year than Youngstown State graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $37,700), 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 Youngstown State graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Youngstown State graduates ($242 vs. $279).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Youngstown State students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 36%)

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.