WestConn vs. SU

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

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

ECSU SCSU CCSU JMU University of Lynchburg Roanoke College VCU Marymount University Longwood University Liberty University Mason YCP
Western Connecticut State University vs. Shenandoah University comparison
Western Connecticut State University Shenandoah University College 3 College 4
Western Connecticut State University Shenandoah University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

WestConn SU
Location Danbury, CT Winchester, VA
Setting Small City Small City
Enrollment 4,417 4,260
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #466 #537
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wcsu.edu su.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

WestConn SU
Tuition (In State) $6,464 $33,790
Tuition (Out of State) $19,358 $33,790
Room & Board $14,568 $11,230
Avg Net Price $15,862 $26,143
Avg Grant Aid $9,057 $23,467
% Receiving Grant Aid 72% 100%

Admission

WestConn SU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,093 2,296
Admitted 4,253 1,845
Acceptance Rate 83.5% 80.4%
Enrolled % 14.8% 25.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.38 3.7
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Average Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/29 19/26
SAT Range 1010/1230 1010/1230
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

WestConn SU
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (27%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (12%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Health Professions (36%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (17%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Biology (4%)

Outcomes

WestConn SU
Graduation Rate 40% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,400 $48,300
Making Student Loan Payments 65% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $258 $258

Diversity

WestConn SU
% Men 45% 32%
% Women 55% 68%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 61% 59%
% Black 12% 11%
% Hispanic 18% 6%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 4%
% International 0% 4%
% Unknown Race 3% 13%

Students

WestConn SU
% In-State 70% 52%
% Out-of-State 30% 48%

Campus

WestConn SU
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 SU based on total student enrollment (4,417 students vs. 4,260 students)

WestConn vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WestConn or SU?

  • Shenandoah University is 422.7% more expensive to attend than WestConn for in-state tuition ($33,790.00 vs. $6,464.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 74.6% higher at SU than Western Connecticut State University ($33,790.00 vs. $19,358.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Connecticut State University than SU ($15,862 vs. $26,143)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shenandoah University are 29.7% lower than costs at Western Connecticut State University ($11,230 vs. $14,568)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Shenandoah University than Western Connecticut State University (100% vs. 72%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Shenandoah University students is 159.1% larger than aid received Western Connecticut State University ($23,467 vs. $9,057)

WestConn vs. SU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman SU students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at WestConn (3.38)
  • WestConn has a higher acceptance rate (83.5%) than SU (80.4%)

WestConn vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WestConn or SU? 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 SU and WestConn.

  • The graduation rate at SU is higher than Western Connecticut State University (45% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from Shenandoah University earn on average $900 more per year than WestConn graduates after ten years. ($48,300 vs. $47,400)
  • Shenandoah University and WestConn graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($25,000 vs. $25,000)
  • Shenandoah University and WestConn graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($258 vs. $258)
  • More WestConn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SU students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 60%)

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