Western Connecticut State University
#2 Best Business Colleges in Connecticut- Graduation Rate
- 51% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $59,115 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $17,604 C
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 87% D+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 23.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $23.3 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best Business Colleges in Connecticut.
Every $1 spent returns $23.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,573,095.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Earnings 45% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $23.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Western Connecticut State University Matters
Western Connecticut State University is a public university in Danbury, CT 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
- 3,511
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Criminal Justice, Psychology
Why students choose Western Connecticut 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 1040–1170. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $17,604 a year after grants and scholarships — 3% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $59,115 ten years after enrolling — 45% above the typical college, against $24,147 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.7% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 38% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.69 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Western Connecticut State University has an acceptance rate of 87%, making it accessible to a wide range of students. With an enrollment of 3,511, the university fosters a diverse community where many students can find their niche. This openness allows for a variety of perspectives and experiences, enriching the campus environment.
According to Chetty/Opportunity Insights data, specific mobility rates and success for students from the bottom 20% are not available. However, the university does attract a significant number of students benefiting from Pell Grants, with a rate of 35%. This indicates a commitment to supporting low-income students, which may enhance opportunities for upward mobility among graduates.
The net price for attending Western Connecticut State University is approximately $17,604, with a median debt of $24,147 for graduates. After ten years, alumni earn an average of $59,115 annually. Students who thrive here typically pursue degrees in Business, Health Professions, Psychology, Criminal Justice, or the Visual and Performing Arts, aligning their studies with workforce demands.
Rankings
- #2 Best Business Colleges in Connecticut
- #2 Best Communications Colleges in Connecticut
- #3 Best Online Colleges in Connecticut
- #5 Best Colleges in Connecticut
- #5 Best Nursing Colleges in Connecticut
- #6 Most Affordable Colleges in Connecticut
- #6 Best Bachelor's Programs in Connecticut
- #6 Best Master's Programs in Connecticut
Can I Get In?
How selective Western Connecticut 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 Western Connecticut State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Western Connecticut State University, located in Danbury, Connecticut, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 87%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,110. The graduation rate is roughly 51%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 87%
- Retention Rate
- 73%
- SAT Average
- 1110
- SAT Range
- 1040–1170
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $11,406
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 11:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.67
- First-Gen Students
- 38%
- Applicants
- 5,093
- Admitted
- 4,253
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 Western Connecticut State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Western Connecticut State University is $16,901, 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 $17,604. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,507 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,147 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $13,401
- Out-of-State
- $16,901
- Avg Net Price
- $17,604
- Median Debt
- $24,147
- Pell Grant Rate
- 35%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 49%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $13,507
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $13,716
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $16,697
- Family Income $110K+
- $21,318
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Western Connecticut State University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Western Connecticut State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Western Connecticut State University earn a median of $59,115, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $45,997
- 8 Years
- $53,163
- 10 Years
- $59,115
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.41x
- Earning > $25K
- 67%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (218)
- 28%
- 100% (218)
- 28%
- 100% (218)
- 28%
- 100% (218)
- 28%
How Western 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 Western Connecticut State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Western Connecticut State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $17,604/year ($70,416 total). Graduates earn $59,115 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,643,511 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,573,095 (23.3× your investment). The median debt is $24,147, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 51% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $70,416
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,643,511
- Net Return
- $1,573,095
- ROI Multiple
- 23.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $17,604
- Median Debt
- $24,147
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 51%
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 Western Connecticut State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Western Connecticut 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 1.74%, well above the typical college. About 4.6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 37.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $100,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.74%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 37.9%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 4.6%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $136,544
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $1,424,084
- Investment Income
- $66,220
Top Programs
The fields Western Connecticut State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 26% $68,909 early-career
- Health Professions 14% $89,238 early-career
- Criminal Justice 9% $42,629 early-career
- Psychology 8% $39,121 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 8% $26,097 early-career
- Communications 6% $43,294 early-career
- Education 6% $53,873 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 4% $34,410 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Western Connecticut 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 Western Connecticut State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Western Connecticut State University, located in Danbury, Connecticut, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 87%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,110. The graduation rate is roughly 51%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Western Connecticut State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Western Connecticut State University is $16,901, 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 $17,604. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,507 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,147 in federal student loans.
Is Western Connecticut State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Western Connecticut State University earn a median of $59,115, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Western Connecticut State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Western Connecticut 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 1.74%, well above the typical college. About 4.6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 37.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $100,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Western Connecticut 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 Western Connecticut State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.69, 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 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Western Connecticut State University.
- Plymouth State UniversityPlymouth, NH · Close peer50% grad $57,304 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Concordia University-Saint PaulSaint Paul, MN · Close peer52% grad $59,871 earn 79% 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
- University of St ThomasHouston, TX · Close peer69% grad $59,224 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Salem State UniversitySalem, MA · Close peer52% grad $56,662 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Westfield State UniversityWestfield, MA · Close peer55% grad $57,346 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Western Connecticut 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 Western Connecticut State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.69, 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 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note