WestConn vs. KSC

Comparable Facts

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

Western Connecticut State University is larger than KSC based on total student enrollment (4,169 students vs. 2,848 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Connecticut State University is located in Danbury, CT (Small City setting); Keene State College is in Keene, NH (Distant Town setting).
• Western Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Keene State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Connecticut State University 11:1; Keene State College 17:1.

WestConn vs. KSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WestConn or KSC? 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 KSC ($17,185 vs. $19,997).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Keene State College are 12.1% lower than at Western Connecticut State University ($13,766 vs. $15,659).
• Keene State College is 10.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WestConn (about $1,383 more per year; $14,784.00 vs. $13,401.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.8% higher at KSC than at Western Connecticut State University (about $9,939 more per year; $26,840.00 vs. $16,901.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Keene State College than at Western Connecticut State University (100% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Connecticut State University students is 4.6% larger than aid received by Keene State College students ($12,870 vs. $12,302).

WestConn vs. KSC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Connecticut State University (1110) is 40 points higher than at KSC (1070).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Connecticut State University 1040/1170; Keene State College 970/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsKeene State College 24/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WestConn - Test optional; KSC - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: KSC Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman WestConn students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at KSC (3.1).
• KSC has a higher acceptance rate (90.3%) than WestConn (87%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at WestConn vs. 14.5% at KSC.

WestConn vs. KSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WestConn and KSC? 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).

• Keene State College's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than Western Connecticut State University's (40%).
• Graduates from Western Connecticut State University earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than KSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $44,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Connecticut State University graduates have a $1,295 lower median loan debt than KSC graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,295).
• Among borrowers, WestConn graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than KSC graduates ($258 vs. $271).
• More KSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WestConn students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.