WestConn vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

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

Western Connecticut State University is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (4,169 students vs. 3,708 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Connecticut State University is located in Danbury, CT (Small City setting); Northern State University is in Aberdeen, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Western Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Connecticut State University 11:1; Northern State University 19:1.

WestConn vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WestConn or NSU? 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 Northern State University than WestConn ($15,990 vs. $17,185).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 32.3% lower than at Western Connecticut State University ($10,600 vs. $15,659).
• Western Connecticut State University is 51.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $4,556 more per year; $13,401.00 vs. $8,845.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.5% higher at WestConn than at Northern State University (about $4,954 more per year; $16,901.00 vs. $11,947.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern State University than at Western Connecticut State University (97% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Connecticut State University students is 99.8% larger than aid received by Northern State University students ($12,870 vs. $6,441).

WestConn vs. NSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Connecticut State University (1110) is 40 points higher than at NSU (1070).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Connecticut State University 1040/1170; Northern State University 980/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsNorthern State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WestConn - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WestConn students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at NSU (3.37).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than WestConn (87%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at WestConn vs. 35.2% at NSU.

WestConn vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WestConn and NSU? 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).

• Northern State University's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than Western Connecticut State University's (40%).
• Graduates from Western Connecticut State University earn a median of about $10,000 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern State University graduates have a $601 lower median loan debt than WestConn graduates ($24,399 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WestConn graduates ($252 vs. $258).
• More WestConn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 63%)

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.