WestConn vs. CHC

Comparable Facts

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

Western Connecticut State University is larger than CHC based on total student enrollment (4,169 students vs. 1,288 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Connecticut State University is located in Danbury, CT (Small City setting); Chestnut Hill College is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Western Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Chestnut Hill College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Connecticut State University 11:1; Chestnut Hill College 10:1.

WestConn vs. CHC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WestConn or CHC? 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 CHC ($17,185 vs. $28,588).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chestnut Hill College are 19.5% lower than at Western Connecticut State University ($12,600 vs. $15,659).
• Chestnut Hill College is 197.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than WestConn (about $26,469 more per year; $39,870.00 vs. $13,401.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 135.9% higher at CHC than at Western Connecticut State University (about $22,969 more per year; $39,870.00 vs. $16,901.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chestnut Hill College than at Western Connecticut State University (100% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chestnut Hill College students is 129.9% larger than aid received by Western Connecticut State University students ($29,590 vs. $12,870).

WestConn vs. CHC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Connecticut State University (1110) is 110 points higher than at CHC (1000).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Connecticut State University 1040/1170; Chestnut Hill College 900/1090.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WestConn - Test optional; CHC - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman WestConn students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at CHC (3.12).
• WestConn has a higher acceptance rate (87%) than CHC (74.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at WestConn vs. 7.2% at CHC.

WestConn vs. CHC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WestConn and CHC? 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).

• Chestnut Hill College'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 $2,100 more per year than CHC graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $45,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Connecticut State University graduates have a $1,481 lower median loan debt than CHC graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,481).
• Among borrowers, WestConn graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CHC graduates ($258 vs. $273).
• More WestConn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CHC students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 47%)

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.