Westfield State University
#2 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Massachusetts- Graduation Rate
- 55% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $57,346 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $16,721 C
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 81% C-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 22.1× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $22.1 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Massachusetts.
Every $1 spent returns $22.1 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,411,042.
What The Data Says
-
A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
-
Earnings 41% above the national college median.
-
Every $1 invested returns $22.1 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Westfield State University Matters
Westfield State University is a public university in Westfield, 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
- 3,615
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Criminal Justice, Health Professions, Psychology
Why students choose Westfield 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 81% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $16,721 a year after grants and scholarships — 2% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $57,346 ten years after enrolling — 41% above the typical college, against $22,457 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.9% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 83% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.55 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 81%, Westfield State University welcomes a diverse range of students, making it a solid choice for those looking to pursue degrees in fields like Criminal Justice, Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Education, and Psychology. The university's emphasis on practical learning and community engagement helps students connect their studies to real-world applications, which can be a big plus when entering the job market.
Looking toward life after graduation, students at Westfield State can expect a median earnings figure of $57,346 ten years after completing their degree. This suggests that graduates have the potential to find stable jobs that pay well, especially in the key areas of study offered here. Affordability is also a consideration; the net price after aid is around $16,721, making it relatively accessible for many families.
When it comes to student financial health, the median debt load stands at $22,457, which is manageable compared to what some other institutions have. Around 33% of students are recipients of Pell Grants, indicating that the school supports individuals from lower-income backgrounds. Students who thrive here often embrace the supportive environment and take advantage of the practical experiences available, positioning themselves well for future success.
Rankings
- #2 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Massachusetts
- #8 Best Education Colleges in Massachusetts
- #10 Best MBA Programs in Massachusetts
- #11 Best Communications Colleges in Massachusetts
- #16 Best Business Colleges in Massachusetts
- #19 Best Online Colleges in Massachusetts
- #22 Most Affordable Colleges in Massachusetts
- #22 Best Psychology Colleges in Massachusetts
Can I Get In?
How selective Westfield 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 Westfield State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Westfield State University, located in Westfield, Massachusetts, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 81%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 20. The graduation rate is roughly 55%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 81%
- Retention Rate
- 74%
- ACT Midpoint
- 20
- Full-Time Faculty
- 59%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $11,555
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.51
- First-Gen Students
- 31%
- Applicants
- 6,625
- Admitted
- 5,400
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 Westfield State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Westfield State University is $18,259, 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 $16,721. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,751 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,457 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $12,179
- Out-of-State
- $18,259
- Avg Net Price
- $16,721
- Median Debt
- $22,457
- Pell Grant Rate
- 33%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 51%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $10,751
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $11,517
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $14,199
- Family Income $110K+
- $23,286
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 Westfield 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 Westfield State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Westfield State University earn a median of $57,346, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $46,861
- 8 Years
- $51,731
- 10 Years
- $57,346
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.39x
- Earning > $25K
- 72%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (637)
- 53%
- 100% (637)
- 53%
- 100% (637)
- 53%
- 100% (637)
- 53%
How Westfield 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 Westfield State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Westfield State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $16,721/year ($66,884 total). Graduates earn $57,346 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,477,926 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,411,042 (22.1× your investment). The median debt is $22,457, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 55% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $66,884
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,477,926
- Net Return
- $1,411,042
- ROI Multiple
- 22.1×
- Cost Per Year
- $16,721
- Median Debt
- $22,457
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 55%
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 Westfield State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Westfield State University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.90%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 3.9% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 22.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $98,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.90%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 22.8%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 3.9%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $133,284
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $1,418,373
- Investment Income
- $-2,718,759
Top Programs
The fields Westfield 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 19% $50,800 early-career
- Criminal Justice 13% $50,050 early-career
- Health Professions 12% $81,190 early-career
- Psychology 11% $38,387 early-career
- Education 7% $44,852 early-career
- Humanities 5% $40,390 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 4% $29,542 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 4% $42,081 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 Westfield 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
- 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
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Physician Assistant$130,020 · 28% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Westfield State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Westfield State University, located in Westfield, Massachusetts, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 81%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 20. The graduation rate is roughly 55%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Westfield State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Westfield State University is $18,259, 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 $16,721. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,751 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,457 in federal student loans.
Is Westfield State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Westfield State University earn a median of $57,346, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Westfield State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Westfield State University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.90%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 3.9% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 22.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $98,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Westfield 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 Westfield State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.55, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.09). Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Westfield State University.
- Eastern Connecticut State UniversityWillimantic, CT · Close peer58% grad $56,469 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Aurora UniversityAurora, IL · Close peer59% grad $58,709 earn 81% 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
- Plymouth State UniversityPlymouth, NH · Close peer50% grad $57,304 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Vermont State UniversityRandolph, VT · Close peer48% grad $50,331 earn 82% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of Wisconsin-River FallsRiver Falls, WI · Close peer59% grad $54,458 earn 82% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Westfield 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 Westfield State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.55, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.09). Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note