WestConn vs. RIC

Comparable Facts

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

Rhode Island College is larger than WestConn based on total student enrollment (6,155 students vs. 4,169 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Connecticut State University is located in Danbury, CT (Small City setting); Rhode Island College is in Providence, RI (Large Suburban setting).
• Western Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Rhode Island College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Connecticut State University 11:1; Rhode Island College 15:1.

WestConn vs. RIC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WestConn or RIC? 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 Rhode Island College than WestConn ($10,346 vs. $17,185).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhode Island College are 14.3% lower than at Western Connecticut State University ($13,414 vs. $15,659).
• Western Connecticut State University is 18.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than RIC (about $2,101 more per year; $13,401.00 vs. $11,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 61.5% higher at RIC than at Western Connecticut State University (about $10,398 more per year; $27,299.00 vs. $16,901.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rhode Island College than at Western Connecticut State University (95% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Connecticut State University students is 91.9% larger than aid received by Rhode Island College students ($12,870 vs. $6,706).

WestConn vs. RIC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Connecticut State University (1110) is 110 points higher than at RIC (1000).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Connecticut State University 1040/1170; Rhode Island College 870/1120.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WestConn - Test optional; RIC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RIC Mar 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WestConn students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at RIC (3.08).
• RIC has a higher acceptance rate (91.8%) than WestConn (87%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at WestConn vs. 23.1% at RIC.

WestConn vs. RIC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WestConn and RIC? 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).

• Rhode Island College's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Western Connecticut State University's (40%).
• Graduates from Western Connecticut State University earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than RIC graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rhode Island College graduates have a $3,800 lower median loan debt than WestConn graduates ($21,200 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, RIC graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WestConn graduates ($219 vs. $258).
• More WestConn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RIC students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 59%)

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.