Fitchburg State vs. Culinary Institute of America

Comparable Facts

Compare Fitchburg State University in Fitchburg, MA with Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Fitchburg State University is larger than Culinary Institute of America based on total student enrollment (5,892 students vs. 3,147 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fitchburg State University is located in Fitchburg, MA (Midsize Suburban setting); Culinary Institute of America is in Hyde Park, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Fitchburg State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Culinary Institute of America is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fitchburg State University 11:1; Culinary Institute of America 18:1.

Fitchburg State vs. Culinary Institute of America Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fitchburg State or Culinary Institute of America? 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 Culinary Institute of America ($15,340 vs. $39,581).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Culinary Institute of America are 2.7% lower than at Fitchburg State University ($15,030 vs. $15,452).
• Culinary Institute of America is 251.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fitchburg State (about $28,504 more per year; $39,850.00 vs. $11,346.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 128.7% higher at Culinary Institute of America than at Fitchburg State University (about $22,424 more per year; $39,850.00 vs. $17,426.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Culinary Institute of America than at Fitchburg State University (99% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Culinary Institute of America students is 67.7% larger than aid received by Fitchburg State University students ($19,350 vs. $11,539).

Fitchburg State vs. Culinary Institute of America Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fitchburg State or Culinary Institute of America? 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 Culinary Institute of America and Fitchburg State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fitchburg State University (1150) is 90 points higher than at Culinary Institute of America (1060).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fitchburg State University 1060/1230; Culinary Institute of America 928/1183.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsCulinary Institute of America 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fitchburg State - Test optional; Culinary Institute of America - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Fitchburg State students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.29) than students at Culinary Institute of America (3.26).
• Culinary Institute of America has a higher acceptance rate (91.1%) than Fitchburg State (86.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at Fitchburg State vs. 31% at Culinary Institute of America.

Fitchburg State vs. Culinary Institute of America Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fitchburg State and Culinary Institute of America? 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).

• Graduates from Culinary Institute of America earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than Fitchburg State graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,600 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Culinary Institute of America graduates have a $7,685 lower median loan debt than Fitchburg State graduates ($15,000 vs. $22,685).
• Among borrowers, Culinary Institute of America graduates have an estimated $79 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fitchburg State graduates ($155 vs. $234).
• More Culinary Institute of America graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fitchburg State students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 65%)

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.