WestConn vs. Salem State University

Should I go to Western Connecticut State University or Salem State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if WestConn or Salem State 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.

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Western Connecticut State University vs. Salem State University comparison
Western Connecticut State University Salem State University College 3 College 4
Western Connecticut State University Salem State University
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Overview

WestConn Salem State University
Location Danbury, CT Salem, MA
Setting Small City Large Suburban
Enrollment 4,417 6,539
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #466 #733
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wcsu.edu salemstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

WestConn Salem State University
Tuition (In State) $6,464 $910
Tuition (Out of State) $19,358 $7,050
Room & Board $14,568 $14,954
Avg Net Price $15,862 $19,277
Avg Grant Aid $9,057 $8,562
% Receiving Grant Aid 72% 99%

Admission

WestConn Salem State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,093 5,093
Admitted 4,253 4,719
Acceptance Rate 83.5% 92.7%
Enrolled % 14.8% 18.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.38 3.17
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Average Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/29
SAT Range 1010/1230 986/1210
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 Jun 1, 2025

Academics

WestConn Salem State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (27%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (12%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)

Outcomes

WestConn Salem State University
Graduation Rate 40% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,400 $44,400
Making Student Loan Payments 65% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $24,000
Median Loan Payment $258 $248

Diversity

WestConn Salem State University
% Men 45% 31%
% Women 55% 69%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 61% 68%
% Black 12% 9%
% 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 Salem State University
% In-State 70% 90%
% Out-of-State 30% 8%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Salem State University is larger than than WestConn based on total student enrollment (6,539 students vs. 4,417 students)

WestConn vs. Salem State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WestConn or Salem State University?

  • Western Connecticut State University is 610.3% more expensive to attend than Salem State University for in-state tuition ($6,464.00 vs. $910.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 174.6% higher at WestConn than Salem State University ($19,358.00 vs. $7,050.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Connecticut State University than Salem State University ($15,862 vs. $19,277)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Connecticut State University are 2.6% lower than costs at Salem State University ($14,568 vs. $14,954)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Salem State University than Western Connecticut State University (99% vs. 72%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Connecticut State University students is 5.8% larger than aid received Salem State University ($9,057 vs. $8,562)

WestConn vs. Salem State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman WestConn students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at Salem State University (3.17)
  • Salem State University has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than WestConn (83.5%)

WestConn vs. Salem State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WestConn or Salem State 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 Salem State University and WestConn.

  • The graduation rate at Salem State University is higher than Western Connecticut State University (42% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from Western Connecticut State University earn on average $3,000 more per year than Salem State University graduates after ten years. ($47,400 vs. $44,400)
  • Salem State University students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than WestConn graduates. ($24,000 vs. $25,000)
  • Salem State University graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans than WestConn graduates. ($248 vs. $258)
  • More WestConn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem State University 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/