WestConn vs. PennWest California

Should I go to Western Connecticut State University or PennWest California? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if WestConn or PennWest California 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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Western Connecticut State University vs. PennWest California comparison
Western Connecticut State University PennWest California College 3 College 4
Western Connecticut State University PennWest California
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Overview

WestConn PennWest California
Location Danbury, CT California, PA
Setting Small City Town Fringe
Enrollment 4,417 6,509
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #466 #1033
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wcsu.edu calu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

WestConn PennWest California
Tuition (In State) $6,464 $7,716
Tuition (Out of State) $19,358 $11,574
Room & Board $14,568 $10,416
Avg Net Price $15,862 -
Avg Grant Aid $9,057 $0
% Receiving Grant Aid 72% 0%

Admission

WestConn PennWest California
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,093 -
Admitted 4,253 -
Acceptance Rate 83.5%
Enrolled % 14.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.38 3.31
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/29 18/24
SAT Range 1010/1230 940/1150
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 22, 2024

Academics

WestConn PennWest California
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 19:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (27%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (12%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)

Outcomes

WestConn PennWest California
Graduation Rate 40% 53%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,400 $42,500
Making Student Loan Payments 65% 64%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $258 $258

Diversity

WestConn PennWest California
% Men 45% 39%
% Women 55% 61%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 61% 77%
% Black 12% 12%
% Hispanic 18% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 3%
% International 0% 1%
% Unknown Race 3% 2%

Students

WestConn PennWest California
% In-State 70% 86%
% Out-of-State 30% 13%

Campus

WestConn PennWest California
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No Yes
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • PennWest California is larger than than WestConn based on total student enrollment (6,509 students vs. 4,417 students)

WestConn vs. PennWest California Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WestConn or PennWest California?

  • PennWest California is 19.4% more expensive to attend than WestConn for in-state tuition ($7,716.00 vs. $6,464.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 67.3% higher at WestConn than PennWest California ($19,358.00 vs. $11,574.00)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at PennWest California are 39.9% lower than costs at Western Connecticut State University ($10,416 vs. $14,568)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Connecticut State University than PennWest California (72% vs. 0%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Connecticut State University students is ?% larger than aid received PennWest California ($9,057 vs. $0)

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

  • Accepted freshman WestConn students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at PennWest California (3.31)

WestConn vs. PennWest California Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WestConn or PennWest California? 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 PennWest California and WestConn.

  • The graduation rate at PennWest California is higher than Western Connecticut State University (53% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from Western Connecticut State University earn on average $4,900 more per year than PennWest California graduates after ten years. ($47,400 vs. $42,500)
  • PennWest California and WestConn graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($25,000 vs. $25,000)
  • PennWest California and WestConn graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($258 vs. $258)
  • More WestConn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PennWest California students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 64%)

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