SCSU vs. Lesley University

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, CT with Lesley University in Cambridge, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Connecticut State University is larger than Lesley University based on total student enrollment (9,377 students vs. 2,557 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Connecticut State University is located in New Haven, CT (Midsize City setting); Lesley University is in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting).
• Southern Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Lesley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Connecticut State University 11:1; Lesley University 10:1.

SCSU vs. Lesley University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCSU or Lesley 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 Southern Connecticut State University than Lesley University ($19,827 vs. $32,587).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Connecticut State University are 25% lower than at Lesley University ($14,938 vs. $19,920).
• Lesley University is 154.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than SCSU (about $20,818 more per year; $34,256.00 vs. $13,438.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.1% higher at Lesley University than at Southern Connecticut State University (about $6,878 more per year; $34,256.00 vs. $27,378.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lesley University than at Southern Connecticut State University (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lesley University students is 92.1% larger than aid received by Southern Connecticut State University students ($19,167 vs. $9,977).

SCSU vs. Lesley University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SCSU or Lesley 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 Lesley University and SCSU.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SCSU - Test-free; Lesley University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Lesley University students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at SCSU (3.2).
• Lesley University has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than SCSU (91.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at SCSU vs. 7.9% at Lesley University.

SCSU vs. Lesley University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCSU and Lesley 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).

• Lesley University's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Southern Connecticut State University's (44%).
• Graduates from Southern Connecticut State University earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than Lesley University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,800 vs. $38,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Connecticut State University graduates have a $1,070 lower median loan debt than Lesley University graduates ($23,250 vs. $24,320).
• Among borrowers, SCSU graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lesley University graduates ($240 vs. $251).
• More Lesley University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCSU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 62%)

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.