WestConn vs. Fitchburg State

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, CT with Fitchburg State University in Fitchburg, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Fitchburg State University is larger than WestConn based on total student enrollment (5,892 students vs. 4,169 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Connecticut State University is located in Danbury, CT (Small City setting); Fitchburg State University is in Fitchburg, MA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Western Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Fitchburg State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Connecticut State University 11:1; Fitchburg State University 11:1.

WestConn vs. Fitchburg State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WestConn or Fitchburg State? 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 WestConn ($15,340 vs. $17,185).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fitchburg State University are 1.3% lower than at Western Connecticut State University ($15,452 vs. $15,659).
• Western Connecticut State University is 18.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fitchburg State (about $2,055 more per year; $13,401.00 vs. $11,346.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.1% higher at Fitchburg State than at Western Connecticut State University (about $525 more per year; $17,426.00 vs. $16,901.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fitchburg State University than at Western Connecticut State University (92% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Connecticut State University students is 11.5% larger than aid received by Fitchburg State University students ($12,870 vs. $11,539).

WestConn vs. Fitchburg State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fitchburg State University (1150) is 40 points higher than at WestConn (1110).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Connecticut State University 1040/1170; Fitchburg State University 1060/1230.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WestConn - Test optional; Fitchburg State - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WestConn students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at Fitchburg State (3.29).
• WestConn has a higher acceptance rate (87%) than Fitchburg State (86.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at WestConn vs. 13.5% at Fitchburg State.

WestConn vs. Fitchburg State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Fitchburg State University's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than Western Connecticut State University's (40%).
• Graduates from Western Connecticut State University earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than Fitchburg State graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fitchburg State University graduates have a $2,315 lower median loan debt than WestConn graduates ($22,685 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Fitchburg State graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WestConn graduates ($234 vs. $258).
• More Fitchburg State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WestConn students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.