WestConn vs. The New England Conservatory of Music

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, CT with The New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Connecticut State University is larger than The New England Conservatory of Music based on total student enrollment (4,169 students vs. 853 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Connecticut State University is located in Danbury, CT (Small City setting); The New England Conservatory of Music is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
• Western Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The New England Conservatory of Music is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Connecticut State University 11:1; The New England Conservatory of Music 5:1.

WestConn vs. The New England Conservatory of Music Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WestConn or The New England Conservatory of Music? 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 Western Connecticut State University than The New England Conservatory of Music ($17,185 vs. $50,367).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Connecticut State University are 21.7% lower than at The New England Conservatory of Music ($15,659 vs. $20,010).
• The New England Conservatory of Music is 353.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WestConn (about $47,349 more per year; $60,750.00 vs. $13,401.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 259.4% higher at The New England Conservatory of Music than at Western Connecticut State University (about $43,849 more per year; $60,750.00 vs. $16,901.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The New England Conservatory of Music than at Western Connecticut State University (98% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The New England Conservatory of Music students is 138.6% larger than aid received by Western Connecticut State University students ($30,707 vs. $12,870).

WestConn vs. The New England Conservatory of Music Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WestConn or The New England Conservatory of Music? 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 The New England Conservatory of Music 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; The New England Conservatory of Music - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: The New England Conservatory of Music Dec 1, 2026.
• WestConn has a higher acceptance rate (87%) than The New England Conservatory of Music (41.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at WestConn vs. 29.5% at The New England Conservatory of Music.

WestConn vs. The New England Conservatory of Music Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WestConn and The New England Conservatory of Music? 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).

• The New England Conservatory of Music's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Western Connecticut State University's (40%).
• Graduates from Western Connecticut State University earn a median of about $10,900 more per year than The New England Conservatory of Music graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $36,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Connecticut State University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than The New England Conservatory of Music graduates ($25,000 vs. $29,000).
• Among borrowers, WestConn graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than The New England Conservatory of Music graduates ($258 vs. $299).
• More The New England Conservatory of Music graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WestConn students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.