WestConn vs. UNH Manchester

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, CT with University of New Hampshire at Manchester in Manchester, NH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Connecticut State University is larger than UNH Manchester based on total student enrollment (4,169 students vs. 663 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Connecticut State University is located in Danbury, CT (Small City setting); University of New Hampshire at Manchester is in Manchester, NH (Midsize City setting).
• Western Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of New Hampshire at Manchester is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Connecticut State University 11:1; University of New Hampshire at Manchester 8:1.

WestConn vs. UNH Manchester Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WestConn or UNH Manchester? 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 University of New Hampshire at Manchester than WestConn ($9,760 vs. $17,185).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of New Hampshire at Manchester are 6.1% lower than at Western Connecticut State University ($14,700 vs. $15,659).
• University of New Hampshire at Manchester is 18.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than WestConn (about $2,437 more per year; $15,838.00 vs. $13,401.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 115.5% higher at UNH Manchester than at Western Connecticut State University (about $19,517 more per year; $36,418.00 vs. $16,901.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of New Hampshire at Manchester than at Western Connecticut State University (87% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Connecticut State University students is 29.6% larger than aid received by University of New Hampshire at Manchester students ($12,870 vs. $9,927).

WestConn vs. UNH Manchester Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WestConn or UNH Manchester? 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 UNH Manchester and WestConn.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Connecticut State University (1110) is 10 points higher than at UNH Manchester (1100).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Connecticut State University 1040/1170; University of New Hampshire at Manchester 973/1236.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WestConn - Test optional; UNH Manchester - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNH Manchester Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WestConn students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at UNH Manchester (3.35).
• WestConn has a higher acceptance rate (87%) than UNH Manchester (80.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at WestConn vs. 17% at UNH Manchester.

WestConn vs. UNH Manchester Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WestConn and UNH Manchester? 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).

• University of New Hampshire at Manchester's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Western Connecticut State University's (40%).
• Graduates from University of New Hampshire at Manchester earn a median of about $5,900 more per year than WestConn graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,300 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Connecticut State University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than UNH Manchester graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WestConn graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNH Manchester graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More UNH Manchester graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WestConn students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.