WestConn vs. Alfred State College

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, CT with SUNY College of Technology at Alfred in Alfred, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Connecticut State University is larger than Alfred State College based on total student enrollment (4,169 students vs. 3,781 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Connecticut State University is located in Danbury, CT (Small City setting); SUNY College of Technology at Alfred is in Alfred, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• Western Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY College of Technology at Alfred is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Connecticut State University 11:1; SUNY College of Technology at Alfred 16:1.

WestConn vs. Alfred State College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WestConn or Alfred State College? 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 SUNY College of Technology at Alfred than WestConn ($15,283 vs. $17,185).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY College of Technology at Alfred are 6.6% lower than at Western Connecticut State University ($14,624 vs. $15,659).
• Western Connecticut State University is 50.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Alfred State College (about $4,509 more per year; $13,401.00 vs. $8,892.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.4% higher at WestConn than at SUNY College of Technology at Alfred (about $64 more per year; $16,901.00 vs. $16,837.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY College of Technology at Alfred than at Western Connecticut State University (95% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Connecticut State University students is 29.1% larger than aid received by SUNY College of Technology at Alfred students ($12,870 vs. $9,966).

WestConn vs. Alfred State College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WestConn or Alfred State College? 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 Alfred State College and WestConn.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Connecticut State University (1110) is 10 points higher than at Alfred State College (1100).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Connecticut State University 1040/1170; SUNY College of Technology at Alfred 990/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSUNY College of Technology at Alfred 20/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WestConn - Test optional; Alfred State College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WestConn students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at Alfred State College (3.1).
• WestConn has a higher acceptance rate (87%) than Alfred State College (75.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at WestConn vs. 16% at Alfred State College.

WestConn vs. Alfred State College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WestConn and Alfred State College? 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).

• SUNY College of Technology at Alfred's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Western Connecticut State University's (40%).
• Graduates from Western Connecticut State University earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than Alfred State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $42,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY College of Technology at Alfred graduates have a $10,126 lower median loan debt than WestConn graduates ($14,874 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Alfred State College graduates have an estimated $105 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WestConn graduates ($153 vs. $258).
• More Alfred State College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WestConn students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.