WestConn vs. Rider University

Should I go to Western Connecticut State University or Rider University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if WestConn or Rider University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Western Connecticut State University vs. Rider University comparison
Western Connecticut State University Rider University College 3 College 4
Western Connecticut State University Rider University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

WestConn Rider University
Location Danbury, CT Lawrenceville, NJ
Setting Small City Large Suburban
Enrollment 4,417 4,054
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #466 #263
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wcsu.edu rider.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

WestConn Rider University
Tuition (In State) $6,464 $36,000
Tuition (Out of State) $19,358 $36,000
Room & Board $14,568 $16,130
Avg Net Price $15,862 $26,388
Avg Grant Aid $9,057 $26,336
% Receiving Grant Aid 72% 99%

Admission

WestConn Rider University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,093 9,340
Admitted 4,253 7,858
Acceptance Rate 83.5% 84.1%
Enrolled % 14.8% 9.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.38 3.41
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/29 21/29
SAT Range 1010/1230 1100/1300
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

WestConn Rider University
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (27%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (12%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Business (34%)
  • Education (15%)
  • English and Literature (13%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)

Outcomes

WestConn Rider University
Graduation Rate 40% 63%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,400 $53,000
Making Student Loan Payments 65% 73%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $25,750
Median Loan Payment $258 $266

Diversity

WestConn Rider University
% Men 45% 41%
% Women 55% 59%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 61% 62%
% Black 12% 12%
% Hispanic 18% 12%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 3%
% International 0% 3%
% Unknown Race 3% 2%

Students

WestConn Rider University
% In-State 70% 74%
% Out-of-State 30% 23%

Campus

WestConn Rider University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Western Connecticut State University is larger than than Rider University based on total student enrollment (4,417 students vs. 4,054 students)

WestConn vs. Rider University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WestConn or Rider University?

  • Rider University is 456.9% more expensive to attend than WestConn for in-state tuition ($36,000.00 vs. $6,464.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 86% higher at Rider University than Western Connecticut State University ($36,000.00 vs. $19,358.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Connecticut State University than Rider University ($15,862 vs. $26,388)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Connecticut State University are 10.7% lower than costs at Rider University ($14,568 vs. $16,130)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Rider University than Western Connecticut State University (99% vs. 72%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rider University students is 190.8% larger than aid received Western Connecticut State University ($26,336 vs. $9,057)

WestConn vs. Rider University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WestConn or Rider University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Rider University or WestConn .

  • Accepted freshman Rider University students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at WestConn (3.38)
  • Rider University has a higher acceptance rate (84.1%) than WestConn (83.5%)

WestConn vs. Rider University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WestConn or Rider University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Rider University and WestConn.

  • The graduation rate at Rider University is higher than Western Connecticut State University (63% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from Rider University earn on average $5,600 more per year than WestConn graduates after ten years. ($53,000 vs. $47,400)
  • Western Connecticut State University students graduate with a $750 lower median federal student loan debt than Rider University graduates. ($25,000 vs. $25,750)
  • WestConn graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than Rider University graduates. ($258 vs. $266)
  • More Rider University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WestConn students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 65%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/