Fitchburg State vs. Fisher

Comparable Facts

Compare Fitchburg State University in Fitchburg, MA with St. John Fisher University in Rochester, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Fitchburg State University is larger than Fisher based on total student enrollment (5,892 students vs. 3,693 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Fitchburg State vs. Fisher Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fitchburg State or Fisher? 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 ($15,340 vs. $30,540).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St. John Fisher University are 3.5% lower than at Fitchburg State University ($14,908 vs. $15,452).
• St. John Fisher University is 263% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fitchburg State (about $29,844 more per year; $41,190.00 vs. $11,346.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 136.4% higher at Fisher than at Fitchburg State University (about $23,764 more per year; $41,190.00 vs. $17,426.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St. John Fisher University than at Fitchburg State University (100% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St. John Fisher University students is 112.6% larger than aid received by Fitchburg State University students ($24,530 vs. $11,539).

Fitchburg State vs. Fisher Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fitchburg State or Fisher? 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 Fisher and Fitchburg State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at St. John Fisher University (1210) is 60 points higher than at Fitchburg State (1150).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fitchburg State University 1060/1230; St. John Fisher University 1120/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSt. John Fisher University 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fitchburg State - Test optional; Fisher - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Fisher students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Fitchburg State (3.29).
• Fitchburg State has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than Fisher (66.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at Fitchburg State vs. 20.3% at Fisher.

Fitchburg State vs. Fisher Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fitchburg State and Fisher? 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).

• St. John Fisher University's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Fitchburg State University's (47%).
• Graduates from St. John Fisher University earn a median of about $6,800 more per year than Fitchburg State graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,800 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fitchburg State University graduates have a $1,215 lower median loan debt than Fisher graduates ($22,685 vs. $23,900).
• Among borrowers, Fitchburg State graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fisher graduates ($234 vs. $247).
• More Fisher 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.