WestConn vs. F&M

Comparable Facts

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

Western Connecticut State University is larger than F&M based on total student enrollment (4,169 students vs. 1,808 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

WestConn vs. F&M Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WestConn or F&M? 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 F&M ($17,185 vs. $43,987).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Connecticut State University are 3.3% lower than at Franklin and Marshall College ($15,659 vs. $16,188).
• Franklin and Marshall College is 428.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WestConn (about $57,393 more per year; $70,794.00 vs. $13,401.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 318.9% higher at F&M than at Western Connecticut State University (about $53,893 more per year; $70,794.00 vs. $16,901.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Connecticut State University than at Franklin and Marshall College (86% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Franklin and Marshall College students is 225.6% larger than aid received by Western Connecticut State University students ($41,901 vs. $12,870).

WestConn vs. F&M Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WestConn or F&M? 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 F&M and WestConn.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Franklin and Marshall College (1390) is 280 points higher than at WestConn (1110).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Connecticut State University 1040/1170; Franklin and Marshall College 1310/1463.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsFranklin and Marshall College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WestConn - Test optional; F&M - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: F&M Jan 15, 2027.
• WestConn has a higher acceptance rate (87%) than F&M (28.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at WestConn vs. 17.1% at F&M.

WestConn vs. F&M Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WestConn and F&M? 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).

• Franklin and Marshall College's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Western Connecticut State University's (40%).
• Graduates from Franklin and Marshall College earn a median of about $14,500 more per year than WestConn graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Franklin and Marshall College graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than WestConn graduates ($22,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, F&M graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WestConn graduates ($227 vs. $258).
• More F&M graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WestConn students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.