Fitchburg State vs. DeSales University

Should I go to Fitchburg State University or DeSales University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Fitchburg State or DeSales University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Fitchburg State University vs. DeSales University comparison
Fitchburg State University DeSales University College 3 College 4
Fitchburg State University DeSales University
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Overview

Fitchburg State DeSales University
Location Fitchburg, MA Center Valley, PA
Setting Midsize Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 6,296 2,919
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #624 #295
Religious Affiliation - Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fitchburgstate.edu desales.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Fitchburg State DeSales University
Tuition (In State) $970 $43,000
Tuition (Out of State) $7,050 $43,000
Room & Board $14,225 $13,800
Avg Net Price $15,820 $30,524
Avg Grant Aid $8,717 $28,789
% Receiving Grant Aid 84% 100%

Admission

Fitchburg State DeSales University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,353 3,636
Admitted 3,915 2,857
Acceptance Rate 89.9% 78.6%
Enrolled % 15.6% 15.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.29 3.39
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 24/28
SAT Range 1030/1220 1090/1290
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Fitchburg State DeSales University
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • General Studies (16%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (14%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Health Professions (6%)
  • Business (29%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Biology (5%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

Fitchburg State DeSales University
Graduation Rate 47% 69%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,000 $51,100
Making Student Loan Payments 65% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,685 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $234 $268

Diversity

Fitchburg State DeSales University
% Men 16% 8%
% Women 34% 18%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 73% 75%
% Black 9% 4%
% Hispanic 11% 12%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 1% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 6%

Students

Fitchburg State DeSales University
% In-State 87% 66%
% Out-of-State 12% 34%

Campus

Fitchburg State DeSales University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Fitchburg State University is larger than than DeSales University based on total student enrollment (6,296 students vs. 2,919 students)

Fitchburg State vs. DeSales University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fitchburg State or DeSales University?

  • DeSales University is 4,333% more expensive to attend than Fitchburg State for in-state tuition ($43,000.00 vs. $970.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 509.9% higher at DeSales University than Fitchburg State University ($43,000.00 vs. $7,050.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Fitchburg State University than DeSales University ($15,820 vs. $30,524)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at DeSales University are 3.1% lower than costs at Fitchburg State University ($13,800 vs. $14,225)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at DeSales University than Fitchburg State University (100% vs. 84%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by DeSales University students is 230.3% larger than aid received Fitchburg State University ($28,789 vs. $8,717)

Fitchburg State vs. DeSales University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fitchburg State or DeSales University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between DeSales University or Fitchburg State .

  • The average SAT score at DeSales University (1054) is 61 points higher than at Fitchburg State (993)
  • Incoming DeSales University students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Fitchburg State (21)
  • Accepted freshman DeSales University students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at Fitchburg State (3.29)
  • Fitchburg State has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than DeSales University (78.6%)

Fitchburg State vs. DeSales University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Fitchburg State or DeSales University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between DeSales University and Fitchburg State.

  • The graduation rate at DeSales University is higher than Fitchburg State University (69% vs. 47%)
  • Graduates from DeSales University earn on average $7,100 more per year than Fitchburg State graduates after ten years. ($51,100 vs. $44,000)
  • Fitchburg State University students graduate with a $3,315 lower median federal student loan debt than DeSales University graduates. ($22,685 vs. $26,000)
  • Fitchburg State graduates are paying $34 less per month on federal student loans than DeSales University graduates. ($234 vs. $268)
  • More DeSales University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fitchburg State students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 65%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/