Dean College vs. Westfield State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Dean College in Franklin, MA with Westfield State University in Westfield, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Westfield State University is larger than Dean College based on total student enrollment (4,588 students vs. 1,092 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dean College is located in Franklin, MA (Large Suburban setting); Westfield State University is in Westfield, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Dean College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Westfield State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dean College 15:1; Westfield State University 17:1.

Dean College vs. Westfield State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dean College or Westfield State University? 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 Westfield State University than Dean College ($17,406 vs. $32,085).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Westfield State University are 29.4% lower than at Dean College ($14,018 vs. $19,864).
• Dean College is 282% more expensive for in-state tuition than Westfield State University (about $34,347 more per year; $46,526.00 vs. $12,179.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 154.8% higher at Dean College than at Westfield State University (about $28,267 more per year; $46,526.00 vs. $18,259.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dean College than at Westfield State University (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dean College students is 264% larger than aid received by Westfield State University students ($32,958 vs. $9,054).

Dean College vs. Westfield State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Dean College or Westfield State University? 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 Westfield State University and Dean College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestfield State University 980/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestfield State University 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dean College - Test-free; Westfield State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dean College Sep 1, 2026; Westfield State University Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Westfield State University students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Dean College (2.88).
• Westfield State University has a higher acceptance rate (81.4%) than Dean College (73.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.7% at Dean College vs. 15.2% at Westfield State University.

Dean College vs. Westfield State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dean College and Westfield State University? 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 Westfield State University's (58%).
• Graduates from Westfield State University earn a median of about $11,600 more per year than Dean College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,800 vs. $35,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dean College graduates have a $6,397 lower median loan debt than Westfield State University graduates ($16,353 vs. $22,750).
• Among borrowers, Dean College graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Westfield State University graduates ($169 vs. $235).
• More Westfield State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dean College students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.