WestConn vs. Culinary Institute of America

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, CT with Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Connecticut State University is larger than Culinary Institute of America based on total student enrollment (4,169 students vs. 3,147 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Connecticut State University is located in Danbury, CT (Small City setting); Culinary Institute of America is in Hyde Park, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Western Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Culinary Institute of America is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Connecticut State University 11:1; Culinary Institute of America 18:1.

WestConn vs. Culinary Institute of America Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WestConn or Culinary Institute of America? 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 Culinary Institute of America ($17,185 vs. $39,581).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Culinary Institute of America are 4% lower than at Western Connecticut State University ($15,030 vs. $15,659).
• Culinary Institute of America is 197.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than WestConn (about $26,449 more per year; $39,850.00 vs. $13,401.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 135.8% higher at Culinary Institute of America than at Western Connecticut State University (about $22,949 more per year; $39,850.00 vs. $16,901.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Culinary Institute of America than at Western Connecticut State University (99% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Culinary Institute of America students is 50.3% larger than aid received by Western Connecticut State University students ($19,350 vs. $12,870).

WestConn vs. Culinary Institute of America Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WestConn or Culinary Institute of America? 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 Culinary Institute of America and WestConn.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Connecticut State University (1110) is 50 points higher than at Culinary Institute of America (1060).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Connecticut State University 1040/1170; Culinary Institute of America 928/1183.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsCulinary Institute of America 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WestConn - Test optional; Culinary Institute of America - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WestConn students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at Culinary Institute of America (3.26).
• Culinary Institute of America has a higher acceptance rate (91.1%) than WestConn (87%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at WestConn vs. 31% at Culinary Institute of America.

WestConn vs. Culinary Institute of America Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WestConn and Culinary Institute of America? 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 Western Connecticut State University earn a median of about $800 more per year than Culinary Institute of America graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $46,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Culinary Institute of America graduates have a $10,000 lower median loan debt than WestConn graduates ($15,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Culinary Institute of America graduates have an estimated $103 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WestConn graduates ($155 vs. $258).
• More Culinary Institute of America graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WestConn students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.