WestConn vs. TU

Comparable Facts

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

Towson University is larger than WestConn based on total student enrollment (19,401 students vs. 4,169 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Connecticut State University is located in Danbury, CT (Small City setting); Towson University is in Towson, MD (Small City setting).
• Western Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Towson University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Connecticut State University 11:1; Towson University 14:1.

WestConn vs. TU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WestConn or TU? 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 Towson University than WestConn ($16,653 vs. $17,185).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Connecticut State University are 3.7% lower than at Towson University ($15,659 vs. $16,260).
• Western Connecticut State University is 14.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than TU (about $1,673 more per year; $13,401.00 vs. $11,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 76.4% higher at TU than at Western Connecticut State University (about $12,919 more per year; $29,820.00 vs. $16,901.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Connecticut State University than at Towson University (86% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Connecticut State University students is 8.9% larger than aid received by Towson University students ($12,870 vs. $11,820).

WestConn vs. TU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Connecticut State University (1110) is 20 points higher than at TU (1090).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Connecticut State University 1040/1170; Towson University 950/1235.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsTowson University 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WestConn - Test optional; TU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman TU students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at WestConn (3.38).
• WestConn has a higher acceptance rate (87%) than TU (82%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at WestConn vs. 18.2% at TU.

WestConn vs. TU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WestConn and TU? 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).

• Towson University's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Western Connecticut State University's (40%).
• Graduates from Towson University earn a median of about $6,100 more per year than WestConn graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Towson University graduates have a $7,250 lower median loan debt than WestConn graduates ($17,750 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, TU graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WestConn graduates ($183 vs. $258).
• More TU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WestConn 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.