USJ vs. Fitchburg State

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford, CT with Fitchburg State University in Fitchburg, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Fitchburg State University is larger than USJ based on total student enrollment (5,892 students vs. 1,952 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Saint Joseph is located in West Hartford, CT (Small City setting); Fitchburg State University is in Fitchburg, MA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• University of Saint Joseph is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Fitchburg State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Saint Joseph 10:1; Fitchburg State University 11:1.

USJ vs. Fitchburg State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USJ or Fitchburg State? 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 USJ ($15,340 vs. $29,300).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Saint Joseph are 6.6% lower than at Fitchburg State University ($14,426 vs. $15,452).
• University of Saint Joseph is 316.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fitchburg State (about $35,932 more per year; $47,278.00 vs. $11,346.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 171.3% higher at USJ than at Fitchburg State University (about $29,852 more per year; $47,278.00 vs. $17,426.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Saint Joseph than at Fitchburg State University (100% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Saint Joseph students is 166.5% larger than aid received by Fitchburg State University students ($30,747 vs. $11,539).

USJ vs. Fitchburg State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fitchburg State University (1150) is 140 points higher than at USJ (1010).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Saint Joseph 850/1170; Fitchburg State University 1060/1230.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USJ - Test optional; Fitchburg State - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman USJ students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Fitchburg State (3.29).
• Fitchburg State has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than USJ (78.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at USJ vs. 13.5% at Fitchburg State.

USJ vs. Fitchburg State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of Saint Joseph's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Fitchburg State University's (47%).
• Graduates from University of Saint Joseph earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than Fitchburg State graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,200 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 USJ graduates ($22,685 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Fitchburg State graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USJ graduates ($234 vs. $279).
• More Fitchburg State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USJ students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 60%)

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.