Fitchburg State vs. Arcadia

Comparable Facts

Compare Fitchburg State University in Fitchburg, MA with Arcadia University in Glenside, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Fitchburg State University is larger than Arcadia based on total student enrollment (5,892 students vs. 3,404 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fitchburg State University is located in Fitchburg, MA (Midsize Suburban setting); Arcadia University is in Glenside, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Fitchburg State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Arcadia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fitchburg State University 11:1; Arcadia University 10:1.

Fitchburg State vs. Arcadia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fitchburg State or Arcadia? 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 Fitchburg State University than Arcadia ($15,340 vs. $30,037).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fitchburg State University are 10.1% lower than at Arcadia University ($15,452 vs. $17,180).
• Arcadia University is 337.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fitchburg State (about $38,264 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $11,346.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 184.7% higher at Arcadia than at Fitchburg State University (about $32,184 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $17,426.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Arcadia University than at Fitchburg State University (99% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Arcadia University students is 200.8% larger than aid received by Fitchburg State University students ($34,705 vs. $11,539).

Fitchburg State vs. Arcadia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fitchburg State or Arcadia? 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 Arcadia and Fitchburg State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Arcadia University (1170) is 20 points higher than at Fitchburg State (1150).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fitchburg State University 1060/1230; Arcadia University 1065/1265.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fitchburg State - Test optional; Arcadia - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Arcadia students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Fitchburg State (3.29).
• Fitchburg State has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than Arcadia (80.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at Fitchburg State vs. 7.4% at Arcadia.

Fitchburg State vs. Arcadia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fitchburg State and Arcadia? 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).

• Arcadia University's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than Fitchburg State University's (47%).
• Graduates from Arcadia University earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than Fitchburg State graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fitchburg State University graduates have a $4,315 lower median loan debt than Arcadia graduates ($22,685 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Fitchburg State graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Arcadia graduates ($234 vs. $279).
• More Arcadia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fitchburg State students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 65%)

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.