WestConn vs. RU

Comparable Facts

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

Radford University is larger than WestConn based on total student enrollment (7,812 students vs. 4,169 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Connecticut State University is located in Danbury, CT (Small City setting); Radford University is in Radford, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Western Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Radford University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Connecticut State University 11:1; Radford University 14:1.

WestConn vs. RU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WestConn or RU? 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 Radford University than WestConn ($16,749 vs. $17,185).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Radford University are 20.1% lower than at Western Connecticut State University ($12,504 vs. $15,659).
• Western Connecticut State University is 6.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than RU (about $853 more per year; $13,401.00 vs. $12,548.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 51.7% higher at RU than at Western Connecticut State University (about $8,732 more per year; $25,633.00 vs. $16,901.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Radford University than at Western Connecticut State University (94% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Connecticut State University students is 8.4% larger than aid received by Radford University students ($12,870 vs. $11,870).

WestConn vs. RU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Connecticut State University (1110) is 60 points higher than at RU (1050).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Connecticut State University 1040/1170; Radford University 940/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsRadford University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WestConn - Test optional; RU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WestConn students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at RU (3.31).
• RU has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than WestConn (87%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at WestConn vs. 14.4% at RU.

WestConn vs. RU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WestConn and RU? 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).

• Radford University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Western Connecticut State University's (40%).
• Graduates of Western Connecticut State University and RU have equivalent median earnings about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $47,400), per the federal College Scorecard cohort (typically among students working and not enrolled).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Radford University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than WestConn graduates ($23,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, RU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WestConn graduates ($237 vs. $258).
• More RU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WestConn students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.