Fitchburg State University
#6 Best Communications Colleges in Massachusetts- Graduation Rate
- 54% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $53,874 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $14,262 C+
- 17% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 87% D+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 26.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $26.2 over 20 years. Ranked #6 in Best Communications Colleges in Massachusetts.
Every $1 spent returns $26.2 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,436,193.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Earnings 32% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $26.2 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Fitchburg State University Matters
Fitchburg State University is a public university in Fitchburg, MA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 2,752
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Communications, Criminal Justice
Why students choose Fitchburg State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 87% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1060–1230. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $14,262 a year after grants and scholarships — 17% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $53,874 ten years after enrolling — 32% above the typical college, against $24,239 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.7% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 37% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.75 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Fitchburg State University is a good fit for students looking for a supportive and accessible environment, with an acceptance rate of 87%. This means that a wide range of students can find a place here, particularly those interested in practical courses such as Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Communications, Criminal Justice, and Psychology. The focus on these fields shows a commitment to preparing students for careers that are in demand.
After graduation, students can expect to earn an average of $53,874 within ten years of completing their degree. This figure reflects the potential for solid career paths in the programs offered. The affordability aspect is also significant, with a net price of $14,262 after aid, which makes it easier for students to manage their finances. While the graduation rate sits at 54%, there's a pathway for those who are determined to succeed and move into fulfilling careers.
In practical terms, students here tend to thrive when they engage with the community and take advantage of available resources. With a median debt of $24,239, it’s important for students to be mindful of their financial commitments. The 33% Pell Grant rate indicates that a good portion of students come from low-income backgrounds, suggesting that this university prioritizes accessibility. Overall, Fitchburg State University is a place where students can find their footing and work towards their future with supportive programs and a welcoming atmosphere.
Rankings
- #6 Best Communications Colleges in Massachusetts
- #8 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Massachusetts
- #9 Best Education Colleges in Massachusetts
- #10 Best Nursing Colleges in Massachusetts
- #15 Best MBA Programs in Massachusetts
- #16 Most Affordable Colleges in Massachusetts
- #17 Best Online Colleges in Massachusetts
- #22 Best Bachelor's Programs in Massachusetts
Can I Get In?
How selective Fitchburg State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Fitchburg State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, Fitchburg State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 87%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,150. The graduation rate is roughly 54%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 87%
- Retention Rate
- 69%
- SAT Average
- 1150
- ACT Midpoint
- 22
- SAT Range
- 1060–1230
- Full-Time Faculty
- 49%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $10,973
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.61
- First-Gen Students
- 36%
- Applicants
- 3,084
- Admitted
- 2,654
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Fitchburg State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Fitchburg State University is $17,426, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $14,262. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,204 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,239 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $11,346
- Out-of-State
- $17,426
- Avg Net Price
- $14,262
- Median Debt
- $24,239
- Pell Grant Rate
- 33%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 47%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $10,204
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $11,199
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $11,540
- Family Income $110K+
- $21,123
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Fitchburg State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Fitchburg State University earn a median of $53,874, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $41,999
- 8 Years
- $53,950
- 10 Years
- $53,874
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.45x
- Earning > $25K
- 70%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (276)
- 38%
- 100% (276)
- 38%
- 100% (276)
- 38%
- 100% (276)
- 38%
How Fitchburg Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Fitchburg State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Fitchburg State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $14,262/year ($57,048 total). Graduates earn $53,874 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,493,241 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,436,193 (26.2× your investment). The median debt is $24,239, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 54% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $57,048
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,493,241
- Net Return
- $1,436,193
- ROI Multiple
- 26.2×
- Cost Per Year
- $14,262
- Median Debt
- $24,239
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 54%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Fitchburg State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Fitchburg State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.75%, well above the typical college. About 5.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 30.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $89,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.75%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 30.9%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 5.7%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $89,500
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $1,063,332
- Investment Income
- $-2,637,606
Top Programs
The fields Fitchburg State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Health Professions 21%
- Business & Marketing 13%
- Communications 8%
- Criminal Justice 8%
- Psychology 7%
- Education 7%
- Visual & Performing Arts 6%
- Biology & Biomedical 5%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Fitchburg State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Fitchburg State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, Fitchburg State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 87%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,150. The graduation rate is roughly 54%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Fitchburg State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Fitchburg State University is $17,426, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $14,262. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,204 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,239 in federal student loans.
Is Fitchburg State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Fitchburg State University earn a median of $53,874, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Fitchburg State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Fitchburg State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.75%, well above the typical college. About 5.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 30.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $89,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Fitchburg State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Fitchburg State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.75, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Fitchburg State University.
- Framingham State UniversityFramingham, MA · Close peer49% grad $52,349 earn 84% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Frostburg State UniversityFrostburg, MD · Close peer51% grad $55,493 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan CampusTeaneck, NJ · Close peer58% grad $57,273 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- SUNY College of Technology at DelhiDelhi, NY · Close peer47% grad $51,629 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- SUNY at FredoniaFredonia, NY · Close peer52% grad $54,247 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Plymouth State UniversityPlymouth, NH · Close peer50% grad $57,304 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Fitchburg State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Fitchburg State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.75, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note