Rider University vs. WCU

Should I go to Rider University or West Chester University of Pennsylvania? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Rider University 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.

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Rider University vs. West Chester University of Pennsylvania comparison
Rider University West Chester University of Pennsylvania College 3 College 4
Rider University West Chester University of Pennsylvania
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Overview

Rider University WCU
Location Lawrenceville, NJ West Chester, PA
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 4,054 17,275
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #263 #496
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website rider.edu wcupa.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Rider University WCU
Tuition (In State) $36,000 $7,716
Tuition (Out of State) $36,000 $19,290
Room & Board $16,130 $14,228
Avg Net Price $26,388 $22,973
Avg Grant Aid $26,336 $5,443
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 64%

Admission

Rider University WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,340 14,778
Admitted 7,858 12,982
Acceptance Rate 84.1% 87.8%
Enrolled % 9.9% 23.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 3.43
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/29 23/30
SAT Range 1100/1300 1080/1260
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

Rider University WCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • Education (15%)
  • English and Literature (13%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • English and Literature (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)

Outcomes

Rider University WCU
Graduation Rate 63% 68%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $53,000 $49,000
Making Student Loan Payments 73% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,750 $23,500
Median Loan Payment $266 $242

Diversity

Rider University WCU
% Men 41% 39%
% Women 59% 61%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 62% 78%
% Black 12% 11%
% Hispanic 12% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 3% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

Rider University WCU
% In-State 74% 87%
% Out-of-State 23% 12%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • West Chester University of Pennsylvania is larger than than Rider University based on total student enrollment (17,275 students vs. 4,054 students)

Rider University vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rider University or WCU?

  • Rider University is 366.6% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($36,000.00 vs. $7,716.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 86.6% higher at Rider University than West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($36,000.00 vs. $19,290.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at West Chester University of Pennsylvania than Rider University ($22,973 vs. $26,388)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania are 13.4% lower than costs at Rider University ($14,228 vs. $16,130)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Rider University than West Chester University of Pennsylvania (99% vs. 64%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rider University students is 383.9% larger than aid received West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($26,336 vs. $5,443)

Rider University vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (1072) is 58 points higher than at Rider University (1014)
  • Incoming WCU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Rider University (22)
  • Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at Rider University (3.41)
  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than Rider University (84.1%)

Rider University vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Rider University 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 Rider University.

  • The graduation rate at WCU is higher than Rider University (68% vs. 63%)
  • Graduates from Rider University earn on average $4,000 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($53,000 vs. $49,000)
  • West Chester University of Pennsylvania students graduate with a $2,250 lower median federal student loan debt than Rider University graduates. ($23,500 vs. $25,750)
  • WCU graduates are paying $24 less per month on federal student loans than Rider University graduates. ($242 vs. $266)
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rider University students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 73%)

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