UHart vs. WestConn

Comparable Facts

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

University of Hartford is larger than WestConn based on total student enrollment (6,015 students vs. 4,169 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UHart vs. WestConn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UHart 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 UHart ($17,185 vs. $31,261).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Hartford are 7.2% lower than at Western Connecticut State University ($14,532 vs. $15,659).
• University of Hartford is 266.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than WestConn (about $35,674 more per year; $49,075.00 vs. $13,401.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 190.4% higher at UHart than at Western Connecticut State University (about $32,174 more per year; $49,075.00 vs. $16,901.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Hartford than at Western Connecticut State University (100% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Hartford students is 159.9% larger than aid received by Western Connecticut State University students ($33,446 vs. $12,870).

UHart vs. WestConn Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UHart 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 UHart.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Hartford (1220) is 110 points higher than at WestConn (1110).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Hartford 1120/1310; Western Connecticut State University 1040/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Hartford 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UHart - Test optional; WestConn - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WestConn students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at UHart (3.26).
• UHart has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than WestConn (87%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10% at UHart vs. 16.7% at WestConn.

UHart vs. WestConn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UHart 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).

• University of Hartford's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Western Connecticut State University's (40%).
• Graduates from University of Hartford earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than WestConn graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,600 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Connecticut State University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than UHart graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WestConn graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UHart graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More UHart graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WestConn students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 65%)

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.