SCSU vs. WNC

Comparable Facts

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

Southern Connecticut State University is larger than WNC based on total student enrollment (9,377 students vs. 4,284 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Connecticut State University is located in New Haven, CT (Midsize City setting); Western Nevada College is in Carson City, NV (Rural Fringe setting).
• Southern Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Nevada College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Connecticut State University 11:1; Western Nevada College 15:1.

SCSU vs. WNC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCSU or WNC? 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 Nevada College than SCSU ($14,929 vs. $19,827).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Connecticut State University are 16% lower than at Western Nevada College ($14,938 vs. $17,788).
• Southern Connecticut State University is 222.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than WNC (about $9,270 more per year; $13,438.00 vs. $4,168.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 113.3% higher at SCSU than at Western Nevada College (about $14,544 more per year; $27,378.00 vs. $12,834.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Nevada College than at Southern Connecticut State University (88% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Connecticut State University students is 69.9% larger than aid received by Western Nevada College students ($9,977 vs. $5,874).

SCSU vs. WNC Admissions comparison

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

• Western Nevada College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SCSU - Test-free; WNC - Open admission.

SCSU vs. WNC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCSU and WNC? 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).

• Graduates from Southern Connecticut State University earn a median of about $12,100 more per year than WNC graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,800 vs. $33,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Nevada College graduates have a $11,934 lower median loan debt than SCSU graduates ($11,316 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, WNC graduates have an estimated $123 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCSU graduates ($117 vs. $240).
• More SCSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WNC students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 30%)

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.