WestConn vs. Empire State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, CT with Empire State University in Saratoga Springs, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Empire State University is larger than WestConn based on total student enrollment (10,469 students vs. 4,169 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Connecticut State University is located in Danbury, CT (Small City setting); Empire State University is in Saratoga Springs, NY (Small Suburban setting).
• Western Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Empire State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Connecticut State University 11:1; Empire State University 17:1.

WestConn vs. Empire State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WestConn or Empire State University? 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 Empire State University than WestConn ($11,659 vs. $17,185).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Empire State University are 9.1% lower than at Western Connecticut State University ($14,230 vs. $15,659).
• Western Connecticut State University is 75.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Empire State University (about $5,753 more per year; $13,401.00 vs. $7,648.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.9% higher at Empire State University than at Western Connecticut State University (about $657 more per year; $17,558.00 vs. $16,901.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Connecticut State University than at Empire State University (86% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Connecticut State University students is 56.1% larger than aid received by Empire State University students ($12,870 vs. $8,243).

WestConn vs. Empire State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WestConn or Empire State University? 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 Empire State University and WestConn.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Connecticut State University 1040/1170.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WestConn - Test optional; Empire State University - Not reported.

WestConn vs. Empire State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WestConn and Empire State University? 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).

• Western Connecticut State University's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than Empire State University's (19%).
• Graduates from Western Connecticut State University earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than Empire State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Empire State University graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than WestConn graduates ($23,250 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Empire State University graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WestConn graduates ($240 vs. $258).
• More WestConn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Empire State University students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 44%)

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.