Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania vs Pennsylvania Western University
Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania is a public university in Bloomsburg, PA. Pennsylvania Western University is a public university in California, PA. Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania admits about 93% of applicants and Pennsylvania Western University about 94%, making Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $15,699 a year at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania after aid, and about $18,256 at Pennsylvania Western University. About 54% of students graduate at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, compared with 51% at Pennsylvania Western University. Ten years after enrolling, Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania alumni earn a median of about $52,416, against $47,295 for Pennsylvania Western University.
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Bloomsburg, PA
California, PA
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
9,210
7,451
Acceptance rate
93%
94%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.16–3.66
3.14–3.64
SAT (middle 50%)
990–1190
940–1140
ACT (middle 50%)
18–25
17–25
Test policy
Test optional
Considered
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$15,699
$18,256
Full cost / yr
$25,161
$26,916
In-state tuition
$11,046
$11,436
Out-of-state tuition
$22,870
$16,054
Application fee
$25
$35
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$11,374
$13,944
$30k - $48k
$11,370
$14,171
$48k - $75k
$13,877
$16,517
$75k - $110k
$17,989
$20,633
Over $110k
$20,099
$23,272
Outcomes
Graduation rate
54%
51%
Freshman retention
78%
72%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$44,053
$38,474
Median earnings (10 yr)
$52,416
$47,295
Median debt at graduation
$26,000
$23,725
Student body
Pell grant recipients
32%
38%
First-generation students
34%
37%
International students
0%
1%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Rolling
Rolling
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania or Pennsylvania Western University harder to get into?
- Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania is harder to get into. It admits about 93% of applicants, compared with 94% at Pennsylvania Western University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania or Pennsylvania Western University?
- Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania is cheaper on average. Students pay about $15,699 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $18,256 at Pennsylvania Western University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania Western University?
- Before aid, Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania costs about $25,161 a year and Pennsylvania Western University about $26,916. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania or Pennsylvania Western University?
- Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $11,374 there, against about $13,944 at Pennsylvania Western University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania or Pennsylvania Western University?
- Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania is the larger of the two, with about 9,210 undergraduates against 7,451 at Pennsylvania Western University.
- Does Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania or Pennsylvania Western University have a better graduation rate?
- Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania has the higher graduation rate, at about 54% against 51% at Pennsylvania Western University.
- Do graduates of Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania or Pennsylvania Western University earn more?
- Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania alumni earn more on average: a median of about $52,416 ten years after enrolling, against about $47,295 for Pennsylvania Western University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania Western University require SAT or ACT scores?
- Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Pennsylvania Western University considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them.
- What SAT scores do Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania Western University look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 990–1190 at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania and 940–1140 at Pennsylvania Western University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania vs University of PennsylvaniaCommonwealth University of Pennsylvania vs Carnegie Mellon UniversityCommonwealth University of Pennsylvania vs Lehigh UniversityPennsylvania Western University vs University of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania Western University vs Carnegie Mellon UniversityPennsylvania Western University vs Lehigh University
Which of these is the better fit for you?
These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.
1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school