WestConn vs. Keystone College

Comparable Facts

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

Western Connecticut State University is larger than Keystone College based on total student enrollment (4,169 students vs. 952 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Connecticut State University is located in Danbury, CT (Small City setting); Keystone College is in La Plume, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Western Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Keystone College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Connecticut State University 11:1; Keystone College 12:1.

WestConn vs. Keystone College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WestConn or Keystone College? 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 Keystone College ($17,185 vs. $21,952).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Keystone College are 19.5% lower than at Western Connecticut State University ($12,600 vs. $15,659).
• Keystone College is 36.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than WestConn (about $4,899 more per year; $18,300.00 vs. $13,401.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.3% higher at Keystone College than at Western Connecticut State University (about $1,399 more per year; $18,300.00 vs. $16,901.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Connecticut State University than at Keystone College (86% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Connecticut State University students is 27.2% larger than aid received by Keystone College students ($12,870 vs. $10,119).

WestConn vs. Keystone College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Connecticut State University (1110) is 90 points higher than at Keystone College (1020).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Connecticut State University 1040/1170; Keystone College 910/1130.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WestConn - Test optional; Keystone College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WestConn students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at Keystone College (3.0).
• WestConn has a higher acceptance rate (87%) than Keystone College (84.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at WestConn vs. 10.8% at Keystone College.

WestConn vs. Keystone College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WestConn and Keystone College? 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).

• Western Connecticut State University's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than Keystone College's (39%).
• Graduates from Western Connecticut State University earn a median of about $14,000 more per year than Keystone College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $33,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Connecticut State University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Keystone College graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, WestConn graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Keystone College graduates ($258 vs. $268).
• More WestConn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Keystone College students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 57%)

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.