Dean College vs. Fitchburg State

Comparable Facts

Compare Dean College in Franklin, MA 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 Dean College based on total student enrollment (5,892 students vs. 1,092 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dean College is located in Franklin, MA (Large Suburban setting); Fitchburg State University is in Fitchburg, MA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Dean College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Fitchburg State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dean College 15:1; Fitchburg State University 11:1.

Dean College vs. Fitchburg State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dean College 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 Dean College ($15,340 vs. $32,085).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fitchburg State University are 22.2% lower than at Dean College ($15,452 vs. $19,864).
• Dean College is 310.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fitchburg State (about $35,180 more per year; $46,526.00 vs. $11,346.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 167% higher at Dean College than at Fitchburg State University (about $29,100 more per year; $46,526.00 vs. $17,426.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dean College than at Fitchburg State University (100% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dean College students is 185.6% larger than aid received by Fitchburg State University students ($32,958 vs. $11,539).

Dean College vs. Fitchburg State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Dean College 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 Dean College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsFitchburg State University 1060/1230.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dean College - Test-free; Fitchburg State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dean College Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Fitchburg State students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.29) than students at Dean College (2.88).
• Fitchburg State has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than Dean College (73.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.7% at Dean College vs. 13.5% at Fitchburg State.

Dean College vs. Fitchburg State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dean College 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).

• Dean College's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than Fitchburg State University's (47%).
• Graduates from Fitchburg State University earn a median of about $8,800 more per year than Dean College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,000 vs. $35,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dean College graduates have a $6,332 lower median loan debt than Fitchburg State graduates ($16,353 vs. $22,685).
• Among borrowers, Dean College graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fitchburg State graduates ($169 vs. $234).
• More Fitchburg State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dean College students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 53%)

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.