Western Connecticut State University

www.wcsu.edu/

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2021 Undergraduate Tuition

$6,162

2021 Average Net Price

$15,660

After Financial Aid

2019 Student Loan

2.79%

Default Rate

2021 Acceptance Rate

84.9%

9,376 Applicants

2021 Enrolled Students

9,604

73.3% Full-Time

2021 Graduation Rate

52.9%

704 Graduates

About

Western Connecticut State University is a higher education institution located in Fairfield County, CT. In 2021, the most popular Bachelors Degree concentrations at Western Connecticut State University were Criminal Justice - Police Science (102 degrees awarded), Registered Nursing (84 degrees), and General Psychology (80 degrees).

In 2021, 1,209 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Western Connecticut State University. 58% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 42% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (767 degrees), 3.45 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (222 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Western Connecticut State University is $6,162, which is $−17,022 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($23,184).

Masters Colleges & Universities: Medium Programs Masters Colleges and Universities

Costs

In 2021, the median undergraduate tuition at Western Connecticut State University is $6,162, which is $−17,022 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($23,184).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $15,660.

In 2021, 85% of undergraduate students attending Western Connecticut State University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 50% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$6,162

2021 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2021, the cost of tuition at Western Connecticut State University was $6,162. The cost of tuition at Western Connecticut State University is $−17,022 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($23,184).

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

Average Net Price

$15,660

2021 Value

9.91%

1 Year Growth

In 2021 Western Connecticut State University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $15,660. Between 2020 and 2021, the average net price of Western Connecticut State University grew by 9.91%.

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

$13,664

Room and Board

$1,300

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Western Connecticut State University was of $13,664 in 2021. The cost of room and board increased by 1.58% between 2020 and 2021.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,300. 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

85%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

50%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

85% of undergraduate students at Western Connecticut State University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2021. This represents a growth of 46.6% with respect to 2020, 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.

2.79%

2019 Default Rate

Number of Defaults

In 2019 the default rate for borrower's at Western Connecticut State University was 2.79%, which represents 37 out of the 1325 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 9,376 undergraduate applications in 2021, which represents a 9.78% annual growth. Out of those 9,376 applicants, 7,956 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 84.9% acceptance rate.

There were 9,604 students enrolled at Western Connecticut State University in 2021.

Western Connecticut State University has an overall enrollment yield of 18.4%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

84.9%

Acceptance Rate in 2021

7,956

Accepted Out of 9,376

In 2021, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Western Connecticut State University was 84.9% (7,956 admissions from 9,376 applications). This is higher than the acceptance rate of 2020, which was 80.7%. Between 2020 and 2021, the number of applicants grew by 9.78%, while admissions declined by −5.15%..

This chart compares the acceptance rate of Western Connecticut State University (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

Enrollment

Western Connecticut State University had a total enrollment of 9,604 students in 2021. The full-time enrollment at Western Connecticut State University is 7,042 students and the part-time enrollment is 2,562. This means that 73.3% 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 55.5% White, 23.2% Hispanic or Latino, 8.52% Black or African American, 4.56% Asian, 4.02% Two or More Races, 0.271% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0208% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Western Connecticut State University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Female (27.2%), followed by White Male (27%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (14.8%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (40.7%), followed by White Male (22.2%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (17.3%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

73.3%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Western Connecticut State University in 2021, both undergraduate and graduate, is 9,604 students. The full-time enrollment at Western Connecticut State University is 7,042 and the part-time enrollment is 2,562. This means that 73.3% of students enrolled at Western Connecticut State University are enrolled full-time compared with 68.3% 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

69%

2021 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 69%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Masters Colleges and Universities (73%), Western Connecticut State University had a retention rate lower than 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 (2021)

White
5,328 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
2,232 enrolled students
Black or African American
818 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at Western Connecticut State University is 55.5% White, 23.2% Hispanic or Latino, 8.52% Black or African American, 4.56% Asian, 4.02% Two or More Races, 0.271% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0208% 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% White, 16.9% Hispanic or Latino, and 12.8% 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, 336 students (3.5%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2021, 193 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 (767 degrees awarded). There were 3.45 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (222 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Western Connecticut State University is Criminal Justice - Police Science (102 degrees awarded), followed by Registered Nursing (84 degrees) and General Psychology (80 degrees).

In 2021, 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 History (27 degrees awarded), Psychology (153 degrees), and Protective Services (102 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 (360,454 people), Other managers (285,155 people), Lawyers, & judges, magistrates, & other judicial workers (255,121 people), Postsecondary teachers (212,726 people), and Secondary school teachers (168,534 people).

The most specialized majors at Western Connecticut State University in 2021 are History (27 degrees awarded), Psychology (153 degrees), Protective Services (102 degrees), Visual & Performing Arts (102 degrees), and English (36 degrees) (as of 2021).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Surgeons

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 Surgeons, Physicians, Diagnostic medical sonographers, Magnetic resonance imaging technologists, and Securities, commodities, & financial services sales agents

The most specialized majors at Western Connecticut State University are History (27 degrees awarded), Psychology (153 degrees), Protective Services (102 degrees), Visual & Performing Arts (102 degrees), and English (36 degrees) (as of 2021).

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 (879,887 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (493,172 people), Justice, public order, & safety activities (429,946 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (294,684 people), and Legal services (232,973 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 (2021)

Criminal Justice - Police Science
102 degree-majors awarded
Registered Nursing
84 degree-majors awarded
General Psychology
80 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Western Connecticut State University was Criminal Justice - Police Science with 102 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

508

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2021

701

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2021

In 2021, 508 degrees were awarded to men at Western Connecticut State University, which is 0.725 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (701).

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

Most Common Male Majors

In 2021, 55 degrees were awarded to men at Western Connecticut State University in Criminal Justice - Police Science, which is 1.17 times more than the 47 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2021, 77 degrees were awarded to men at Western Connecticut State University in Registered Nursing, which is 11 times more than the 7 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

33%

100% Completion Time

52%

150% Completion Time

In 2021, 33% 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, 52% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 56% 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.

White Female

Highest Graduation Rate (67.2%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2021 at Western Connecticut State University is Female and White (67.2% graduation rate). Across all Masters Colleges and Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (72.9%).

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, 7.1% of graduates (50 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2021)

White
767 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
222 degrees awarded
Black or African American
104 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Western Connecticut State University is white (767 degrees awarded). There were 3.45 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (222 degrees).

2.23% of degree recipients (27 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2021)

White Female
436 degrees awarded
White Male
331 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino Female
143 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Western Connecticut State University is white female (436 degrees awarded). There were 1.32 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white male (331 degrees).

Operations

Western Connecticut State University has an endowment valued at nearly $26.6M, as of the end of the 2021 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 45k (0.169%) compared to the 13.1% average return (6.61M on 50.4M) across all Masters Colleges and Universities.

In 2021, Western Connecticut State University had a total salary expenditure of 152M. Western Connecticut State University employs 210 Professors, 118 Associate professors and 74 Assistant professors. Most academics at Western Connecticut State University are Male Professor (112), Female Professor (98), and Female Associate professor (60).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Western Connecticut State University are: Service, with 154 employees, Office and Administrative Support, with 110 employees, and Librarians, Curators, Archivists, and Academic Affairs and Other Education Services with 88 employees.

Endowment

$26.6M

2021 Endowment

24.4%

growth from 2020

Western Connecticut State University has an endowment valued at about $26.6M, as of the end of the 2021 fiscal year. The endowment of Western Connecticut State University grew 24.4% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $23.9M 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

$3.25M - Federal
$3.85M - State
$115k - Local

As of 2021, Western Connecticut State University received $3.25M in grants and contracts from the federal government, $3.85M from state grants and contracts, and $115k from local grants and contracts.

Salary Expenditure

$61.6M

2021 Salaries

1.87%

decline from 2020

In 2021, Western Connecticut State University paid a median of $61.6M in salaries, which represents 40.5% of their overall expenditure ($152M) and a 1.87% decline from the previous year.

The median for similar Masters Colleges and Universities is 35.1M (41.3% of overall expenditures).

Instructional Salaries

$40.5M

Instructional Salaries

408

Number of Employees

In 2021, Western Connecticut State University paid a total of $40.5M to 408 employees working as instructors, which represents 32.9% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $21.9M (62.5%) for similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

Occupations by Share

Professor

Most Common Instructor

210 Employees

Service

Most Common Non-Instructional Employee

154 Employees

In 2021, the most common positions for instructional staff at Western Connecticut State University were Professor with 210 employees, Associate professor with 118 employees, and Assistant professor with 74 employees.

In 2021, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Western Connecticut State University were Service with 154 employees, Office and Administrative Support with 110 employees, and Librarians, Curators, Archivists, and Academic Affairs and Other Education Services with 88 employees.

Instructors by Academic Rank and Sex

Most Common Demographic (2021)

Male Professor
Female Professor
Female Associate professor

In 2021, the most common demographic for instructional staff at Western Connecticut State University was Male Professor with 112 employees, Female Professor with 98 employees, and Female Associate professor with 60 employees.

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