Payback
EarningsPlus
Economic score
Western Connecticut State University is a public regional university located in Danbury, Connecticut. Western Connecticut State University is very inclusive in their admissions.
Return on educational investment at Western Connecticut State University is in the top 50% of all ranked schools. The median student earns $53,289 10 years after enrolling, 11th in Connecticut, and in the top 50% nationally. When adjusted for earning differences by major, Western Connecticut State University bachelor students earn 6% less than the national average. Western Connecticut State University is ranked 9th in Connecticut.
Western Connecticut State University’s median net annual cost of $18,166 and average years to graduate of 4.8 are reported only at the school level. We assume these same costs and graduation time for all programs.
The top 6 programs at Western Connecticut State University sorted by number of graduates - Criminal Justice, Registered Nursing, Psychology, Accounting, Comms & Media Studies, Marketing - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Annual net cost
$18,166
Average years to graduate
4.8
Information Systems Mgmt.
Rank: #52
Economic score: 2.12
Computer science
Rank: #232
Economic score: 3.72
Finance
Rank: #304
Economic score: 4.35
Social Work
Rank: #145
Economic score: 6.21
History
Rank: #222
Economic score: 7.81
Biology
Rank: #409
Economic score: 9.22
Education
Rank: #78
Economic score: 10.5
Mental & Social Health Services
Rank: #24
Economic score: 24.28
Rhetoric & Composition
Rank: #64
Economic score: 28.23
Drama
Rank: #149
Economic score: 97.19
EarningPlus compares the three-year post graduate earnings to the median earnings of the same graduating class, with the same graduate degree. These 2 metrics, debt-to-earnings and EarningsPlus, are combined into an economic score. The lower the economic score the better.
The most popular 3 graduate programs at Western Connecticut State University - Clinical / Counseling Psych, Student Counseling, Education - are shown below.
When a school's graduation rate falls in the bottom 25% in the country, we do not display an economic ranking.
The average full-time graduate completes their degree in 4.8 years. 51% of all students graduate within 8 years including part-time students. The graduation rate at Western Connecticut State University is 16% lower than the state average, and 6% below the average for all regional universities in the country.
At Western Connecticut State University, Pell Grant recipients represent 33% of the measured graduating class, 2% lower than the national average of 35%. The average Pell Grant recipient at Western Connecticut State University graduates within 4.8 years.
Western Connecticut State University is in the top 50% of schools for graduating Pell recipients.
We calculate this performance by adjusting the graduation rate of Pell students by their percentage of the student body. This adjustment is made to prevent schools with large numbers of Pell students from underperforming in comparison to schools with few Pell students but high graduation rates.
Western Connecticut State University’s economic mobility score of 12.87 is calculated by adjusting the 4.55 economic score of lower-income students by the 33% pell grant recipients within the student body. Western Connecticut State University’s EMS of 12.87 ranks in the bottom 50% nationally.false
Economic Mobility
To calculate economic mobility of low-income (household earnings below $30,000) students, we adjust each institution’s economic score by their percentage of Pell Grant students. The logic of this Pell-adjusted calculation is derived from Third Way’s Economic Mobility Index (EMI).
Bottom 50%
The average Title IV recipient at Western Connecticut State University pays $18,166 a year, $11,041 less than the $29,207 advertised. See below the cost breakdown for students who receive Title IV grants, broken down by income level.
Average net price
The average net price shown by income level for all students that receive Title IV aid. Calculated by deducting the average grant and scholarship aid from tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Limited to first-time, full-time students. Public institution figures are calculated using in-state tuition figures.
Median net price $18,166
Much of the gap between net price and sticker price is filled by institutional and government grants. At Western Connecticut State University, 78% of students receive some grants and scholarships, compared to the national average of 87% for all colleges and universities. The average amount of federal, state, and institutional grants that students receive is shown on the right.
This leaves a total of $18,166 on average to be covered by the student – be it through loans or out of pocket. In total, 58% of students take out loans, federal or private, at an average amount of $8,469. This is 4% more than the national average.
Federal grants
$7,417
Pell grants
$4,469
State grants
$2,701
Institutional grants
$3,782
Western Connecticut State University's very inclusive admissions are indicated by their 85% acceptance rate. In 2021, the school had 4,688 applicants, of which 3,978 were admitted and 733 enrolled. Western Connecticut State University has a rolling admissions policy, which means applications are reviewed as they arrive until all spaces are filled.
While Western Connecticut State University has a recommended testing policy, their average test scores are not made public.
Full time
89%
83%
Female
51%
59%
First time
51%
59%
In-state
72%
68%
1st generation
38%
35%
White
57%
52%
Black
9%
14%
Hispanic
23%
15%
Asian
5%
5%
American Indian
N/A
1.6%
Pacific Islander
N/A
0.3%
Other
6%
12%