WestConn vs. Cedar Crest College

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, CT with Cedar Crest College in Allentown, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Connecticut State University is larger than Cedar Crest College based on total student enrollment (4,169 students vs. 1,290 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Connecticut State University is located in Danbury, CT (Small City setting); Cedar Crest College is in Allentown, PA (Midsize City setting).
• Western Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cedar Crest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Connecticut State University 11:1; Cedar Crest College 9:1.

WestConn vs. Cedar Crest College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WestConn or Cedar Crest College? 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 Cedar Crest College ($17,185 vs. $23,691).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cedar Crest College are 14.4% lower than at Western Connecticut State University ($13,406 vs. $15,659).
• Cedar Crest College is 245.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than WestConn (about $32,913 more per year; $46,314.00 vs. $13,401.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 174% higher at Cedar Crest College than at Western Connecticut State University (about $29,413 more per year; $46,314.00 vs. $16,901.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cedar Crest College than at Western Connecticut State University (99% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cedar Crest College students is 158.9% larger than aid received by Western Connecticut State University students ($33,323 vs. $12,870).

WestConn vs. Cedar Crest College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WestConn or Cedar Crest College? 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 Cedar Crest College and WestConn.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cedar Crest College (1120) is 10 points higher than at WestConn (1110).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Connecticut State University 1040/1170; Cedar Crest College 1000/1230.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WestConn - Test optional; Cedar Crest College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Cedar Crest College students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at WestConn (3.38).
• WestConn has a higher acceptance rate (87%) than Cedar Crest College (84.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at WestConn vs. 13.5% at Cedar Crest College.

WestConn vs. Cedar Crest College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WestConn and Cedar Crest College? 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).

• Cedar Crest College's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Western Connecticut State University's (40%).
• Graduates from Cedar Crest College earn a median of about $400 more per year than WestConn graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Connecticut State University graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than Cedar Crest College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,750).
• Among borrowers, WestConn graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cedar Crest College graduates ($258 vs. $286).
• More WestConn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cedar Crest College students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 59%)

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.