Fisher College vs. Fitchburg State

Comparable Facts

Compare Fisher College in Boston, 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 Fisher College based on total student enrollment (5,892 students vs. 1,652 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fisher College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Fitchburg State University is in Fitchburg, MA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Fisher College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Fitchburg State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fisher College 14:1; Fitchburg State University 11:1.

Fisher College vs. Fitchburg State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fisher 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 Fisher College ($15,340 vs. $28,596).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fitchburg State University are 14.4% lower than at Fisher College ($15,452 vs. $18,041).
• Fisher College is 214.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fitchburg State (about $24,343 more per year; $35,689.00 vs. $11,346.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 104.8% higher at Fisher College than at Fitchburg State University (about $18,263 more per year; $35,689.00 vs. $17,426.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fisher College than at Fitchburg State University (94% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fisher College students is 119.9% larger than aid received by Fitchburg State University students ($25,379 vs. $11,539).

Fisher College vs. Fitchburg State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fitchburg State University (1150) is 210 points higher than at Fisher College (940).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fisher College 800/1070; Fitchburg State University 1060/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fisher College 15/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fisher College - Test-free; Fitchburg State - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Fitchburg State students have a 0.57 point higher average high school GPA (3.29) than students at Fisher College (2.72).
• Fitchburg State has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than Fisher College (70.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 6.1% at Fisher College vs. 13.5% at Fitchburg State.

Fisher College vs. Fitchburg State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fisher 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).

• Fisher College's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Fitchburg State University's (47%).
• Graduates from Fitchburg State University earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than Fisher College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,000 vs. $36,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fisher College graduates have a $3,498 lower median loan debt than Fitchburg State graduates ($19,187 vs. $22,685).
• Among borrowers, Fisher College graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fitchburg State graduates ($198 vs. $234).
• More Fitchburg State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fisher College students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 45%)

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.