CCSU vs. WestConn

Deciding between Central Connecticut State University and Western Connecticut State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Central Connecticut State University
Western Connecticut State University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • CCSU New Britain, CT
  • WestConn Danbury, CT
  • Setting
  • CCSU Large Suburban
  • WestConn Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • CCSU 9,997
  • WestConn 4,169
  • Type
  • CCSU Public 4 Year
  • WestConn Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • CCSU #546
  • WestConn #660
  • Religious Affiliation
  • CCSU -
  • WestConn -
  • Status
  • CCSU Non-profit
  • WestConn Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • CCSU
  • WestConn
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • CCSU $13,050
  • WestConn $13,401
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • CCSU $16,550
  • WestConn $16,901
  • Room & Board
  • CCSU $13,086
  • WestConn $15,659
  • Average Net Price
  • CCSU $17,528
  • WestConn $17,185
  • Average Grant Aid
  • CCSU $8,842
  • WestConn $12,870
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • CCSU 94%
  • WestConn 86%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • CCSU 8,919
  • WestConn 5,910
  • Admitted
  • CCSU 6,540
  • WestConn 5,142
  • Acceptance Rate
  • CCSU 73.3%
  • WestConn 87%
  • Enrolled
  • CCSU 20.6%
  • WestConn 16.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • CCSU 1080
  • WestConn 1110
  • Typical ACT score
  • CCSU
  • WestConn
  • Average High School GPA
  • CCSU 3.2
  • WestConn 3.38
  • Typical High School Grades
  • CCSU B+
  • WestConn B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • CCSU Easy
  • WestConn Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • CCSU Low
  • WestConn
  • ACT Range
  • CCSU
  • WestConn
  • SAT Range
  • CCSU 960/1190
  • WestConn 1040/1170
  • Submit Test Scores
  • CCSU Test optional
  • WestConn Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • CCSU Aug 26, 2027
  • WestConn
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • CCSU 14:1
  • WestConn 11:1
  • Popular Majors
  • CCSU
    • Business (30%)
    • Social Sciences (14%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • WestConn
    • Business (27%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (12%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Education (8%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • CCSU 47%
  • WestConn 40%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • CCSU $49,000
  • WestConn $47,400
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • CCSU 63%
  • WestConn 65%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • CCSU $22,500
  • WestConn $25,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • CCSU $232
  • WestConn $258
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • CCSU 51%
  • WestConn 47%
  • % Women
  • CCSU 49%
  • WestConn 53%
  • Racial Diversity
  • CCSU Medium
  • WestConn Medium
  • HBCU
  • CCSU No
  • WestConn No
  • % White
  • CCSU 65%
  • WestConn 61%
  • % Asian
  • CCSU 4%
  • WestConn 4%
  • % Black
  • CCSU 12%
  • WestConn 12%
  • % Hispanic
  • CCSU 13%
  • WestConn 18%
  • % Native American
  • CCSU 0%
  • WestConn 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • CCSU 0%
  • WestConn 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • CCSU 3%
  • WestConn 1%
  • % International
  • CCSU 1%
  • WestConn 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • CCSU 2%
  • WestConn 3%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • CCSU 92%
  • WestConn 74%
  • % Out-of-State
  • CCSU 8%
  • WestConn 26%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • CCSU Yes
  • WestConn Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • CCSU No
  • WestConn No
  • Meal Plan
  • CCSU Yes
  • WestConn Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • CCSU No
  • WestConn No
  • Daycare Facility
  • CCSU Yes
  • WestConn Yes

Comparable Facts

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

Central Connecticut State University is larger than WestConn based on total student enrollment (9,997 students vs. 4,169 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

CCSU vs. WestConn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CCSU or WestConn? 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 Western Connecticut State University than CCSU ($17,185 vs. $17,528).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Connecticut State University are 16.4% lower than at Western Connecticut State University ($13,086 vs. $15,659).
  • Western Connecticut State University is 2.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than CCSU (about $351 more per year; $13,401.00 vs. $13,050.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2.1% higher at WestConn than at Central Connecticut State University (about $351 more per year; $16,901.00 vs. $16,550.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central Connecticut State University than at Western Connecticut State University (94% vs. 86%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Connecticut State University students is 45.6% larger than aid received by Central Connecticut State University students ($12,870 vs. $8,842).

CCSU vs. WestConn Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Connecticut State University (1110) is 30 points higher than at CCSU (1080).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central Connecticut State University 960/1190; Western Connecticut State University 1040/1170.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CCSU - Test optional; WestConn - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: CCSU Aug 26, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman WestConn students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at CCSU (3.2).
  • WestConn has a higher acceptance rate (87%) than CCSU (73.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.6% at CCSU vs. 16.7% at WestConn.

CCSU vs. WestConn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CCSU and WestConn? 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).

  • Central Connecticut State University's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than Western Connecticut State University's (40%).
  • Graduates from Central Connecticut State University earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than WestConn graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Central Connecticut State University graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than WestConn graduates ($22,500 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, CCSU graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WestConn graduates ($232 vs. $258).
  • More WestConn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CCSU students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 63%)

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.