WestConn vs. Kean

Comparable Facts

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

Kean University is larger than WestConn based on total student enrollment (13,905 students vs. 4,169 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Connecticut State University is located in Danbury, CT (Small City setting); Kean University is in Union, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• Western Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Kean University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Connecticut State University 11:1; Kean University 17:1.

WestConn vs. Kean Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WestConn or Kean? 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 Kean University than WestConn ($12,708 vs. $17,185).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Connecticut State University are 14.3% lower than at Kean University ($15,659 vs. $18,264).
• Kean University is 6.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than WestConn (about $898 more per year; $14,299.00 vs. $13,401.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.8% higher at Kean than at Western Connecticut State University (about $5,545 more per year; $22,446.00 vs. $16,901.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kean University than at Western Connecticut State University (90% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kean University students is 16.9% larger than aid received by Western Connecticut State University students ($15,048 vs. $12,870).

WestConn vs. Kean Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Connecticut State University (1110) is 70 points higher than at Kean (1040).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Connecticut State University 1040/1170; Kean University 930/1150.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WestConn - Test optional; Kean - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kean Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WestConn students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at Kean (3.2).
• WestConn has a higher acceptance rate (87%) than Kean (75.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at WestConn vs. 18.7% at Kean.

WestConn vs. Kean Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WestConn and Kean? 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).

• Kean University's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Western Connecticut State University's (40%).
• Graduates from Western Connecticut State University earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than Kean graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Kean University and WestConn graduates have the same median loan debt ($25,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Kean University and WestConn graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($258 vs. $258).
• More WestConn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kean students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 52%)

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.