SCSU vs. WestConn

Comparable Facts

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

Southern Connecticut State University is larger than WestConn based on total student enrollment (9,377 students vs. 4,169 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

SCSU vs. WestConn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCSU or WestConn? 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 Western Connecticut State University than SCSU ($17,185 vs. $19,827).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Connecticut State University are 4.6% lower than at Western Connecticut State University ($14,938 vs. $15,659).
• Southern Connecticut State University is 0.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WestConn (about $37 more per year; $13,438.00 vs. $13,401.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 62% higher at SCSU than at Western Connecticut State University (about $10,477 more per year; $27,378.00 vs. $16,901.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Connecticut State University than at Southern Connecticut State University (86% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Connecticut State University students is 29% larger than aid received by Southern Connecticut State University students ($12,870 vs. $9,977).

SCSU vs. WestConn Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SCSU or WestConn? 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 WestConn and SCSU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestern Connecticut State University 1040/1170.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SCSU - Test-free; WestConn - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WestConn students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at SCSU (3.2).
• SCSU has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than WestConn (87%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at SCSU vs. 16.7% at WestConn.

SCSU vs. WestConn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCSU and WestConn? 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).

• Southern Connecticut State University's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Western Connecticut State University's (40%).
• Graduates from Western Connecticut State University earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than SCSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $45,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Connecticut State University graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than WestConn graduates ($23,250 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, SCSU graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WestConn graduates ($240 vs. $258).
• More WestConn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCSU students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.