Portland State University vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

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

Portland State University is larger than WCU based on total student enrollment (19,951 students vs. 17,171 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Portland State University is located in Portland, OR (Large City setting); West Chester University of Pennsylvania is in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Portland 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: Portland State University 17:1; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1.

Portland State University vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Portland 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 Portland State University than WCU ($10,195 vs. $22,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Portland State University are 7.4% lower than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($13,728 vs. $14,828).
• Portland State University is 8.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $904 more per year; $11,679.00 vs. $10,775.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.5% higher at Portland State University than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (about $8,475 more per year; $31,074.00 vs. $22,599.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Portland State University than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (89% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Portland State University students is 86.2% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($10,629 vs. $5,709).

Portland State University vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Portland 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 Portland State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (1190) is 60 points higher than at Portland State University (1130).
• Incoming WCU students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 20 at Portland State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Portland State University 1000/1250; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Portland State University 17/24; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Portland State University - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at Portland State University (3.36).
• Portland State University has a higher acceptance rate (90.9%) than WCU (78.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at Portland State University vs. 22.4% at WCU.

Portland State University vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Portland 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 Portland State University's (38%).
• Graduates from West Chester University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $400 more per year than Portland State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $48,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Portland State University graduates have a $866 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($22,634 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Portland State University graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($234 vs. $242).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Portland State University students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 55%)

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.