SCSU vs. WPI

Comparable Facts

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

Southern Connecticut State University is larger than WPI based on total student enrollment (9,377 students vs. 7,584 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Connecticut State University is located in New Haven, CT (Midsize City setting); Worcester Polytechnic Institute is in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting).
• Southern Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Connecticut State University 11:1; Worcester Polytechnic Institute 13:1.

SCSU vs. WPI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCSU or WPI? 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 WPI ($19,827 vs. $47,372).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Connecticut State University are 18.8% lower than at Worcester Polytechnic Institute ($14,938 vs. $18,386).
• Worcester Polytechnic Institute is 353.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than SCSU (about $47,527 more per year; $60,965.00 vs. $13,438.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 122.7% higher at WPI than at Southern Connecticut State University (about $33,587 more per year; $60,965.00 vs. $27,378.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Worcester Polytechnic Institute than at Southern Connecticut State University (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Worcester Polytechnic Institute students is 216.2% larger than aid received by Southern Connecticut State University students ($31,545 vs. $9,977).

SCSU vs. WPI Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SCSU - Test-free; WPI - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: WPI Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WPI students have a 0.7 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at SCSU (3.2).
• SCSU has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than WPI (60.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at SCSU vs. 18.1% at WPI.

SCSU vs. WPI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCSU and WPI? 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).

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than Southern Connecticut State University's (44%).
• Graduates from Worcester Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $36,900 more per year than SCSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,700 vs. $45,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Connecticut State University graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than WPI graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SCSU graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WPI graduates ($240 vs. $279).
• More WPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCSU students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.