CSU vs. WCU

Should I go to California State University Chico or West Chester University of Pennsylvania? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CSU or WCU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

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

Sacramento State San Francisco State Temple Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania Humboldt State University San Jose State UC Merced Cal State Fullerton Sonoma State University California State University-Fresno Millersville University of Pennsylvania Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
California State University Chico vs. West Chester University of Pennsylvania comparison
California State University Chico West Chester University of Pennsylvania College 3 College 4
California State University Chico West Chester University of Pennsylvania
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 CSU WCU
Location Chico, CA West Chester, PA
Setting Small City Large Suburban
Enrollment 14,183 17,275
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #659 #496
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website csuchico.edu wcupa.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 CSU WCU
Tuition (In State) $5,742 $7,716
Tuition (Out of State) $17,622 $19,290
Room & Board $15,212 $14,228
Avg Net Price $15,517 $22,973
Avg Grant Aid $9,162 $5,443
% Receiving Grant Aid 62% 64%

Admission

 CSU WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 21,417 14,778
Admitted 20,347 12,982
Acceptance Rate 95% 87.8%
Enrolled % 9.9% 23.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.37 3.43
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 23/30
SAT Range 970/1170 1080/1260
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Dec 15, 2023

Academics

 CSU WCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 20:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • English and Literature (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)

Outcomes

 CSU WCU
Graduation Rate 59% 68%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $52,400 $49,000
Making Student Loan Payments 70% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,000 $23,500
Median Loan Payment $175 $242

Diversity

 CSU WCU
% Men 45% 39%
% Women 55% 61%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 46% 78%
% Black 2% 11%
% Hispanic 29% 5%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 3%
% International 3% 0%
% Unknown Race 7% 0%

Students

 CSU WCU
% In-State 97% 87%
% Out-of-State 2% 12%

Campus

 CSU WCU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • West Chester University of Pennsylvania is larger than than CSU based on total student enrollment (17,275 students vs. 14,183 students)

CSU vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or WCU?

  • West Chester University of Pennsylvania is 34.4% more expensive to attend than CSU for in-state tuition ($7,716.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 9.5% higher at WCU than California State University Chico ($19,290.00 vs. $17,622.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University Chico than WCU ($15,517 vs. $22,973)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania are 6.9% lower than costs at California State University Chico ($14,228 vs. $15,212)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at West Chester University of Pennsylvania than California State University Chico (64% vs. 62%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Chico students is 68.3% larger than aid received West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($9,162 vs. $5,443)

CSU vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU or WCU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between WCU or CSU .

  • The average SAT score at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (1072) is 69 points higher than at CSU (1003)
  • Incoming WCU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at CSU (22)
  • Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at CSU (3.37)
  • CSU has a higher acceptance rate (95%) than WCU (87.8%)

CSU vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CSU or WCU? 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 WCU and CSU.

  • The graduation rate at WCU is higher than California State University Chico (68% vs. 59%)
  • Graduates from California State University Chico earn on average $3,400 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($52,400 vs. $49,000)
  • California State University Chico students graduate with a $6,500 lower median federal student loan debt than WCU graduates. ($17,000 vs. $23,500)
  • CSU graduates are paying $67 less per month on federal student loans than WCU graduates. ($175 vs. $242)
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 70%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/