WestConn vs. RIC

Western Connecticut State University and Rhode Island College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Western Connecticut State University
Rhode Island College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: WestConn (87% admitted vs 91.8%). Typical SAT 1110 vs 1000.
  • Cheaper after aid: RIC. Average net price is $10,346 vs $17,185 at WestConn.
  • Graduation: WestConn 40% vs RIC 44%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WestConn $47,400 vs RIC $42,000 (median).
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Key differences

Western Connecticut State University Rhode Island College
Acceptance rate
WestConn more selective
WestConn87%
RIC91.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WestConn higher
WestConn1040-1170
RIC870-1120
Average net price
RIC $6,839 less
WestConn$17,185
RIC$10,346
In-state tuition
RIC $2,101 less
WestConn$13,401
RIC$11,300
Out-of-state tuition
WestConn $10,398 less
WestConn$16,901
RIC$27,299
Graduation rate
RIC +4 pts
WestConn40%
RIC44%
Median earnings (10 years)
WestConn +$5,400
WestConn$47,400
RIC$42,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • WestConn 5,910
  • RIC 5,415
  • Admitted
  • WestConn 5,142
  • RIC 4,972
  • Acceptance rate
  • WestConn 87%
  • RIC 91.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WestConn 16.7%
  • RIC 23.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • WestConn 1110
  • RIC 1000
  • Typical ACT score
  • WestConn
  • RIC
  • Average high school GPA
  • WestConn 3.38
  • RIC 3.08
  • Typical high school grades
  • WestConn B+
  • RIC B
  • Admissions standards
  • WestConn Very Easy
  • RIC Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • WestConn
  • RIC
  • SAT range
  • WestConn 1040-1170
  • RIC 870-1120
  • ACT range
  • WestConn
  • RIC
  • Submit test scores
  • WestConn Test optional
  • RIC Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • WestConn
  • RIC Mar 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WestConn $13,401
  • RIC $11,300
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WestConn $16,901
  • RIC $27,299
  • Room & board
  • WestConn $15,659
  • RIC $13,414
  • Average net price
  • WestConn $17,185
  • RIC $10,346
  • Average grant aid
  • WestConn $12,870
  • RIC $6,706
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WestConn 86%
  • RIC 95%
  • Graduation rate
  • WestConn 40%
  • RIC 44%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WestConn $47,400
  • RIC $42,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • WestConn 65%
  • RIC 59%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WestConn $25,000
  • RIC $21,200
  • Median loan payment
  • WestConn $258
  • RIC $219
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WestConn 11:1
  • RIC 15:1
  • Popular majors
  • WestConn
    • Business (27%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (12%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Education (8%)
  • RIC
    • Education (21%)
    • Business (17%)
    • Psychology (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Location
  • WestConn Danbury, CT
  • RIC Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • WestConn Small City
  • RIC Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • WestConn 4,169
  • RIC 6,155
  • Type
  • WestConn Public 4 Year
  • RIC Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WestConn #660
  • RIC #843

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, CT with Rhode Island College in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Rhode Island College is larger than WestConn based on total student enrollment (6,155 students vs. 4,169 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Connecticut State University is located in Danbury, CT (Small City setting); Rhode Island College is in Providence, RI (Large Suburban setting).
  • Western Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Rhode Island College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Connecticut State University 11:1; Rhode Island College 15:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhode Island College are 14.3% lower than at Western Connecticut State University ($13,414 vs. $15,659).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 61.5% higher at RIC than at Western Connecticut State University (about $10,398 more per year; $27,299 vs. $16,901).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rhode Island College than at Western Connecticut State University (95% vs. 86%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Connecticut State University students is 91.9% larger than aid received by Rhode Island College students ($12,870 vs. $6,706).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both WestConn and RIC.
  • Typical fall application deadline: RIC Mar 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WestConn average a 3.38 high school GPA, 0.3 higher than at RIC (3.08).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at WestConn vs. 23.1% at RIC.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Rhode Island College graduates have a $3,800 lower median loan debt than WestConn graduates ($21,200 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, RIC graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WestConn graduates ($219 vs. $258).
  • More WestConn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RIC students, three years after graduation (65% vs. 59%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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