West Virginia vs Connecticut - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Connecticut admits 52.4% of applicants, while West Virginia admits 89%.
The larger international cohort belongs to Connecticut: 7.4% of students against 1.7% (West Virginia).
On paper the cheaper option is West Virginia: $28,608 against $44,004, which is $15,396 less a year.
Ten years on, graduates of Connecticut earn noticeably more: $74K against $56K.
The indicators describe a university as a whole, and your own course can sit a long way from that average.
Every sentence above comes from a field we hold in canonical. Where the data is missing, or the gap is small enough to be noise, the sentence simply does not appear.
EXPERT TAKE
Connecticut is the more selective of the two (52.39% vs 89% acceptance). Connecticut ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#501-600 vs #301-400). Connecticut graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($74K vs $56K). West Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,608 vs $44,004 per year).
Both universities have complete, comparable data in canonical - the choice should come down to fit (campus culture, major, aid package) alongside the differences visible in the numbers below.
Choose West Virginia for: lower tuition.
Choose Connecticut for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Connecticut is more selective (52.39% vs 89% acceptance); Connecticut has a higher median SAT (1340 vs 1110).
Connecticut graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($74K vs $56K); Connecticut has a higher 6-year graduation rate (83.3% vs 64.7%).
West Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,608 vs $44,004); Connecticut offers a larger average aid package ($21,535 vs $16,730).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | West Virginia | Connecticut |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #501-600 | #301-400 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 89% | 52.39% |
| Yield rate | 26.5% | 15.4% |
| Median SAT | 1110 | 1340 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.70 | - |
| Number of applications | 20,150 | 55,479 |
| International students | 1.7% | 7.4% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $56K | $74K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $36K | $50K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $84K | $109K |
| Graduation rate | 64.7% | 83.3% |
| Retention rate | 83.4% | 92% |
| Median debt | $22,500 | $21,500 |
| Tuition · year | $28,608 | $44,004 |
| Avg. aid package | $16,730 | $21,535 |
| % of need met | 63% | 61.6% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $36,010 | $28,506 |
| Application fee | $65 | $80 |
| Enrollment | 23,643 | 28,306 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into West Virginia or Connecticut?
It's harder to get into Connecticut. West Virginia accepts 89% of applicants, while Connecticut accepts 52.39%.
Do West Virginia or Connecticut graduates earn more?
Connecticut graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $74K vs $56K.
How much is tuition at West Virginia vs Connecticut?
Sticker-price tuition is $28,608 per year at West Virginia and $44,004 per year at Connecticut.
What SAT score do you need for West Virginia or Connecticut?
The median admitted SAT score is 1110 at West Virginia and 1340 at Connecticut; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - West Virginia or Connecticut?
Connecticut ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #501-600 for West Virginia vs #301-400 for Connecticut.
Which university offers more financial aid - West Virginia or Connecticut?
The average aid package is $16,730 at West Virginia and $21,535 at Connecticut.
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