Fitchburg State vs. Western New England University

Comparable Facts

Compare Fitchburg State University in Fitchburg, MA with Western New England University in Springfield, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Fitchburg State University is larger than Western New England University based on total student enrollment (5,892 students vs. 3,674 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fitchburg State University is located in Fitchburg, MA (Midsize Suburban setting); Western New England University is in Springfield, MA (Midsize City setting).
• Fitchburg State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western New England University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fitchburg State University 11:1; Western New England University 12:1.

Fitchburg State vs. Western New England University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fitchburg State or Western New England 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 Fitchburg State University than Western New England University ($15,340 vs. $27,056).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fitchburg State University are 0.8% lower than at Western New England University ($15,452 vs. $15,570).
• Western New England University is 321.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fitchburg State (about $36,474 more per year; $47,820.00 vs. $11,346.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 174.4% higher at Western New England University than at Fitchburg State University (about $30,394 more per year; $47,820.00 vs. $17,426.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western New England University than at Fitchburg State University (97% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western New England University students is 186.6% larger than aid received by Fitchburg State University students ($33,067 vs. $11,539).

Fitchburg State vs. Western New England University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fitchburg State or Western New England 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 Western New England University and Fitchburg State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western New England University (1200) is 50 points higher than at Fitchburg State (1150).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fitchburg State University 1060/1230; Western New England University 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestern New England University 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fitchburg State - Test optional; Western New England University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Western New England University students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at Fitchburg State (3.29).
• Fitchburg State has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than Western New England University (83.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at Fitchburg State vs. 12.5% at Western New England University.

Fitchburg State vs. Western New England University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fitchburg State and Western New England 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).

• Western New England University's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Fitchburg State University's (47%).
• Graduates from Western New England University earn a median of about $15,800 more per year than Fitchburg State graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fitchburg State University graduates have a $4,315 lower median loan debt than Western New England University graduates ($22,685 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Fitchburg State graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western New England University graduates ($234 vs. $279).
• More Western New England University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fitchburg State students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.