Western Connecticut State University

www.wcsu.edu/

Add Comparison

2020 Undergraduate Tuition

$6,162

4.02% growth from 2019

2020 Average Net Price

$17,383

After Financial Aid

2018 Student Loan

6.36%

Default Rate

2020 Acceptance Rate

80.7%

5,196 Applicants

2020 Enrolled Students

5,246

74.7% Full-Time

2020 Graduation Rate

50.8%

389 Graduates

About

Western Connecticut State University is a higher education institution located in Fairfield County, CT. In 2020, the most popular Bachelor's Degree concentrations at Western Connecticut State University were Criminal Justice - Police Science (92 degrees awarded), General Psychology (86 degrees), and Registered Nursing (83 degrees).

In 2020, 1,183 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Western Connecticut State University. 60.8% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 39.2% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (762 degrees), 3.95 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (193 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Western Connecticut State University is $6,162, which is $−16,368 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($22,531).

Costs

The median undergraduate tuition at Western Connecticut State University is $6,162, which is $−16,368 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($22,531).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $17,383.

In 2020, 58% of undergraduate students attending Western Connecticut State University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 54% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$6,162

2020 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2020, the cost of tuition at Western Connecticut State University was $6,162. The cost of tuition at Western Connecticut State University is $−16,368 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($22,531).

This chart compares the tuition costs of Western Connecticut State University (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$17,383

2020 Value

4.01%

1 Year Growth

In 2020 Western Connecticut State University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $17,383. Between 2019 and 2020, the average net price of Western Connecticut State University grew by 4.01%.

This chart compares the average net price of Western Connecticut State University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$13,452

Room and Board

$1,300

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Western Connecticut State University was of $13,452 in 2020. During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,300. The cost of room and board increased by 2.91% between 2019 and 2020. The cost of books and supplies did not change during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at Western Connecticut State University (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

58%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

54%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

58% of undergraduate students at Western Connecticut State University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2020. This represents a growth of 0% with respect to 2019, when 58% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at Western Connecticut State University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Student Loan Default Rate

Cohort default rates only account for borrowers who default in the first three years, and some schools only have a small proportion of borrowers entering repayment. These rates should be interpreted with caution, as they may not be reflective of the entire school population.

6.36%

2018 Default Rate

Number of Defaults

In 2018 the default rate for borrower's at Western Connecticut State University was 6.36%, which represents 87 out of the 1367 total borrowers.

A cohort default rate is the percentage of a school's borrowers who enter repayment on certain Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans during a particular federal fiscal year (FY), October 1 to September 30, and default or meet other specified conditions prior to the end of the second following fiscal year.

Admissions

Western Connecticut State University received 5,196 undergraduate applications in 2020, which represents a 3.56% annual decline. Out of those 5,196 applicants, 4,194 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 80.7% acceptance rate.

There were 5,246 students enrolled at Western Connecticut State University in 2020, and N/A% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Western Connecticut State University has an overall enrollment yield of 18.8%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

80.7%

Acceptance Rate in 2020

4,194

Accepted Out of 5,196

In 2020, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Western Connecticut State University was 80.7% (4,194 admissions from 5,196 applications). This is higher than the acceptance rate of 2019, which was 75.8%. Between 2019 and 2020, the number of applicants declined by −3.56%, while admissions grew by 2.69%.

This chart compares the acceptance rate of Western Connecticut State University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

SAT Scores

N/A%

Submission Percentage

N/A

Scores Submitted

N/A% of enrolled first-time students at Western Connecticut State University in 2020 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

This chart shows the SAT scores for the 25th and 75th percentile of applicants broken out into each section of the test that their are evaluated on.

Enrollment

Western Connecticut State University has a total enrollment of 5,246 students. The full-time enrollment at Western Connecticut State University is 3,917 students and the part-time enrollment is 1,329. This means that 74.7% of students enrolled at Western Connecticut State University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Western Connecticut State University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 58.4% White, 21.2% Hispanic or Latino, 8.6% Black or African American, 4.86% Asian, 3.89% Two or More Races, 0.191% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Western Connecticut State University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Female (28.7%), followed by White Male (28.7%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (13.1%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (39.7%), followed by White Male (32.4%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (8.82%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

74.7%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Western Connecticut State University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 5,246 students. The full-time enrollment at Western Connecticut State University is 3,917 and the part-time enrollment is 1,329. This means that 74.7% of students enrolled at Western Connecticut State University are enrolled full-time compared with 68.8% at similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Western Connecticut State University (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

75%

2020 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Western Connecticut State University was 75%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Masters Colleges and Universities (75%), Western Connecticut State University had a retention rate approximately the same as its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at Western Connecticut State University (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity

White
3,065
Hispanic or Latino
1,111
Black or African American
451

The enrolled student population at Western Connecticut State University is 58.4% White, 21.2% Hispanic or Latino, 8.6% Black or African American, 4.86% Asian, 3.89% Two or More Races, 0.191% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Masters Colleges and Universities is 52.6% White, 16.6% Hispanic or Latino, and 13% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 149 students (2.84%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2020, 255 more women than men received degrees from Western Connecticut State University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Western Connecticut State University is white (762 degrees awarded). There were 3.95 times more white graduates than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (193 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Western Connecticut State University is Criminal Justice - Police Science (92 degrees awarded), followed by General Psychology (86 degrees) and Registered Nursing (83 degrees).

The most specialized majors across all degree types at Western Connecticut State University, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Psychology (148 degrees awarded), Communications (85 degrees), and Protective Services (92 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Elementary & middle school teachers

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Western Connecticut State University are Elementary & middle school teachers (329,897 people), Other managers (316,087 people), Lawyers, & judges, magistrates, & other judicial workers (218,940 people), Postsecondary teachers (171,793 people), and Police officers (151,111 people).

The most specialized majors at Western Connecticut State University are Psychology (148 degrees awarded), Communications (85 degrees), Protective Services (92 degrees), History (22 degrees), and Visual & Performing Arts (96 degrees).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Nuclear medicine technologists and medical dosimetrists

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Western Connecticut State University are Nuclear medicine technologists and medical dosimetrists, Surgeons, Physicians, Clinical and counseling psychologists, and Computer hardware engineers

Common Industries by Major

Elementary & secondary schools

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Western Connecticut State University are Elementary & secondary schools (781,190 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (458,389 people), Justice, public order, & safety activities (425,857 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (301,665 people), and Computer Systems Design (221,760 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by Western Connecticut State University.

Most Common

Criminal Justice - Police Science
92 degree-majorss awarded
General Psychology
86 degree-majorss awarded
Registered Nursing
83 degree-majorss awarded

In 2020, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Western Connecticut State University was Criminal Justice - Police Science with 92 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at Western Connecticut State University according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

464

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2020

719

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2020

In 2020, 464 degrees were awarded to men at Western Connecticut State University, which is 0.645 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (719).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at Western Connecticut State University by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2020, 47 degrees were awarded to men at Western Connecticut State University in Criminal Justice - Police Science, which is 1.04 times more than the 45 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2020, 69 degrees were awarded to women at Western Connecticut State University in General Psychology, which is 4.06 times more than the 17 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

25%

100% Completion Time

49%

150% Completion Time

In 2020, 25% of students graduating from Western Connecticut State University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 49% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 52% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Masters Colleges and Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

American Indian or Alaska Native Male

Highest Graduation Rate (100%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate at Western Connecticut State University is Male and American Indian or Alaska Native (100% graduation rate). Across all Masters Colleges and Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (72.4%).

The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) categorizes any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the graduation rate of those students is shown in the chart below. Additionally, 1.8% of graduates (7 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
762 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
193 degrees awarded
Black or African American
108 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Western Connecticut State University is white (762 degrees awarded). There were 3.95 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (193 degrees).

2.62% of degree recipients (31 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic

White Female
467 degrees awarded
White Male
295 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino Female
120 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Western Connecticut State University is white female (467 degrees awarded). There were 1.58 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white male (295 degrees).

Operations

Western Connecticut State University has an endowment valued at nearly $21.4M, as of the end of the 2020 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of $463k (2.17%), compared to the 3.19% average return ($1.26M on $39.6M) across all Masters Colleges and Universities.

In 2020, Western Connecticut State University had a total salary expenditure of $158M. Western Connecticut State University employs 101 Professors, 57 Associate professors, and 52 Assistant professors. Most academics at Western Connecticut State University are Male Professors (54), Female Professors(47), and Female Associate professors (32).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Western Connecticut State University are: Service, with 88 employees, Office and Administrative Support, with 56 employees, and Librarians, Curators, Archivists, and Academic Affairs and Other Education Services with 45 employees.

Endowment

$21.4M

2020 Endowment

1.46%

decline from 2019

Western Connecticut State University has an endowment valued at about $21.4M, as of the end of the 2020 fiscal year. The endowment of Western Connecticut State University declined 1.46% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $18.3M lower than than the median endowment of Masters Colleges and Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at Western Connecticut State University (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Masters Colleges & Universities: Medium Programs Carnegie Classification grouping.

Government Grants and Contracts

Grants & Contracts

$0 - Federal
$0 - State
$0 - Local

As of 2020, Western Connecticut State University received $0 in grants and contracts from the federal government, $0 from state grants and contracts, and $0 from local grants and contracts.

Salary Expenditure

$62.8M

2020 Salaries

7.37%

growth from 2019

In 2020, Western Connecticut State University paid a median of $62.8M in salaries, which represents 39.8% of their overall expenditure ($158M) and a 7.37% growth from the previous year. This is compared to a 0.235% growth from 2018 and a 1.44% decline from 2017.

The median for similar Masters Colleges and Universities is 34.6M (40.9% of overall expenditures).

Instructional Salaries

$20.9M

Instructional Salaries

213

Number of Employees

In 2020, Western Connecticut State University paid a total of $20.9M to 213 employees working as instructors, which represents 33.3% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $11M (31.8%) for similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

Occupations by Share

Professor

Most Common Instructor

101 Employees

Service

Most Common Non-Instructional Employee

88 Employees

In 2020, the most common positions for instructional staff at Western Connecticut State University were Professor with 101 employees; Associate professor with 57 employees; and Associate professor with 52 employees.

In 2020, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Western Connecticut State University were Service with 88 employees; Office and Administrative Support with 56 employees; and Librarians, Curators, Archivists, and Academic Affairs and Other Education Services with 45 employees.

Instructors by Academic Rank and Sex

Most Common Demographic

Male Professor
Female Professor
Female Associate professor

In 2020, the most common demographic for instructional staff at Western Connecticut State University was Male Professor with 54 employees, Female Professor with 47 employees, and Female Associate professor with 32 employees.

This chart shows the sex split between each academic rank present at Western Connecticut State University.