Fitchburg State vs. Wheaton College (Massachusetts)

Comparable Facts

Compare Fitchburg State University in Fitchburg, MA with Wheaton College (Massachusetts) in Norton, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Fitchburg State University is larger than Wheaton College (Massachusetts) based on total student enrollment (5,892 students vs. 1,785 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Fitchburg State vs. Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fitchburg State or Wheaton College (Massachusetts)? 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 Wheaton College (Massachusetts) ($15,340 vs. $30,701).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fitchburg State University are 4.6% lower than at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) ($15,452 vs. $16,200).
• Wheaton College (Massachusetts) is 463.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fitchburg State (about $52,614 more per year; $63,960.00 vs. $11,346.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 267% higher at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) than at Fitchburg State University (about $46,534 more per year; $63,960.00 vs. $17,426.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) than at Fitchburg State University (99% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wheaton College (Massachusetts) students is 321.8% larger than aid received by Fitchburg State University students ($48,666 vs. $11,539).

Fitchburg State vs. Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fitchburg State or Wheaton College (Massachusetts)? 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 Wheaton College (Massachusetts) and Fitchburg State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) (1310) is 160 points higher than at Fitchburg State (1150).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fitchburg State University 1060/1230; Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 1220/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWheaton College (Massachusetts) 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fitchburg State - Test optional; Wheaton College (Massachusetts) - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wheaton College (Massachusetts) students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Fitchburg State (3.29).
• Fitchburg State has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than Wheaton College (Massachusetts) (67.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at Fitchburg State vs. 12.9% at Wheaton College (Massachusetts).

Fitchburg State vs. Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fitchburg State and Wheaton College (Massachusetts)? 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).

• Wheaton College (Massachusetts)'s six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Fitchburg State University's (47%).
• Graduates from Wheaton College (Massachusetts) earn a median of about $9,700 more per year than Fitchburg State graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fitchburg State University graduates have a $3,315 lower median loan debt than Wheaton College (Massachusetts) graduates ($22,685 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Fitchburg State graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wheaton College (Massachusetts) graduates ($234 vs. $268).
• More Wheaton College (Massachusetts) graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fitchburg State students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.