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Western Connecticut State University

Western

Danbury, Connecticut 06810-6826

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Campus Vibe

Mid-SizeUrbanPublicBusiness Focus

Known for business

Western Connecticut State University is a public institution in Danbury with particular strength in business and health sciences. With an average SAT of 1044, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A mid-sized campus of 3.4K undergraduates with a 11:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

50% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $59,115 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $18,617.

Established
1903
Type
Public university
Division
Division III

Campus Visits

103 upcoming visits · Next: Mon, Jun 1 · Campus Tour

Plan Your Visit

81%Acceptance
1044SAT Avg
3,434Students
11:1Student:Faculty
50%Grad Rate
$59,115Earnings 10yr
$18,617Net Price

News & Alerts

program2026-03-15

Western Connecticut State University Launches New Data Science Minor

Starting Fall 2026, students can pursue an interdisciplinary data science minor combining CS, statistics, and domain courses.

tuition2026-02-28

Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27

The board of trustees approved a 3.2% tuition increase for the upcoming academic year, in line with peer institutions.

Admissions

Acceptance Rate81.4%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1044

Reading & Writing
440600
Math
400550

ACT Score Range

Composite
2027

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Admissions

Test-RequiredTracks InterestOn-Campus Interviews

Application Platforms

Common ApplicationCSCU Application

Early Action

12-01

Regular Decision

04-01

Admissions Intel

Acceptance Rate

81.4%

Trend

SAT Avg

1044

Yield Rate

35.0%

Financial Aid

Merit Scholarships

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$12,763
Tuition (out-of-state)$16,095
Room & Board$15,131
Books & Supplies$1,300
Total Cost of Attendance$24,534
Average Net Price$18,617
Median Debt at Graduation$24,147
Monthly Payment (10yr)$256

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$17,055
$30–48K$15,942
$48–75K$16,697
$75–110K$19,825
$110K+$22,946

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

50.2%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.2%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$17,002

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

26

Peer Average

37

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

7

Burglary

1

Aggravated Assault

1

Robbery

2

Motor Vehicle Theft

3

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

7

Drug Arrests

5

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Academics

Semester
Majors
40
Avg class size
21
Student-faculty ratio
14:1

Programs (71)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

70%

Negative
  • 70% first-year retention rate
  • Active student organizations
  • Engaged campus community

Mental Health Services

Counselor Ratio

1:350

24/7 Crisis Line

Yes

Free Sessions

12 per year

Avg Wait

5 days

Walk-in hours available weekdays

Disability Services

Dedicated OfficeOffice of Disability Services
Extended test timeNote-taking assistanceHousing accommodationsAccessible transportation

ADA-compliant campus with ongoing accessibility improvements

Dining

Rating

★★★★☆

Score

4/5

Meal Plan

$6,200/yr

VegetarianVeganGluten-freeHalalKosher

Multiple dining halls with farm-to-table options

Campus Life

Division IIILittle East ConferenceGreek Life

Housing & Residential Life

Available for all students

Housing Styles

Traditional residence hallsSuite-style housingApartment-style housing

Dining

Student Body

Undergrads
3,434
Gender Split
51% / 49%
Women / Men
First Generation
38%
Pell Grant Recipients
35%

Race & Ethnicity

White 50%
Black 9%
Hispanic 29%
Asian 5%
Two+ 5%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate50.2%
Freshman Retention70.0%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$45,997
10 Years$59,115

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#45
2
vs 2024
Forbes
#52
1
vs 2024
Niche
#38
3
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Wolves

BaseballBasketballRugbyLacrosse

History & Fun Facts

  • History Founding and growth Western Connecticut State University was established in 1903, as the "Danbury State Normal School", per an act by the Connecticut General Assembly.
  • The school was founded as a normal school, designed to train school teachers, the fourth such school in Connecticut.
  • The number of enrollments climbed to 362 students by 1912.
  • The school changed its name twice in the 1930s: it became the "Danbury Unit of the Teachers College of Connecticut" in 1933 and then the "Danbury State Teachers College" in 1937.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

112Above Average

Housing and food costs are higher than national average

Climate (School Year)

68°
Sep
55°
Oct
42°
Nov
30°
Dec
25°
Jan
28°
Feb
38°
Mar
50°
Apr
62°
May
Snowfall: 48"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 120

Nearest Cities

Bostonpop. 675,647
90 miles(95 min)
Hartfordpop. 121,054
60 miles(70 min)

Transit Scores

BikeableCampus shuttle: Free campus shuttle runs 7am-midnight
72
Walk Score
45
Transit Score
68
Bike Score

Local Economy

Unemployment Rate3.2%
Top Employers
UniversityRegional Medical CenterTech corridor firms
Key Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnology

Getting There

Nearest Airports

SWF New York Stewart35 mi
ISP Long Island MacArthur45 mi
LGA New York LaGuardia49 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA139 mi · ~4h 1m drive
New York, NY56 mi · ~1h 37m drive
Hartford, CT47 mi · ~1h 21m drive
Providence, RI109 mi · ~3h 9m drive
Albany, NY88 mi · ~2h 33m drive
Syracuse, NY179 mi · ~5h 10m drive
Rochester, NY245 mi · ~7h 5m drive
Buffalo, NY297 mi · ~8h 35m drive
Philadelphia, PA135 mi · ~3h 54m drive
Pittsburgh, PA348 mi · ~10h 3m drive
Harrisburg, PA196 mi · ~5h 40m drive
Newark, NJ60 mi · ~1h 44m drive
Trenton, NJ106 mi · ~3h 4m drive
Southern (moderate winters, warm summers)

Visit Planning

Suggested Itinerary

9:00 AMArrive & park
Visitor parking lot
Free parking with visitor pass
9:30 AMCheck in at Admissions
Admissions Office
10:00 AMInformation session
Welcome Center
45 minutes
11:00 AMCampus tour
Starts at Welcome Center
75 minutes, student-led
12:30 PMLunch
Main Dining Hall
Visitor meal passes available
1:30 PMDepartment visit
Academic buildings
Schedule with department directly
2:30 PMExplore campus independently
Library, student center, residence halls

Airport Transit

New York Stewart (SWF)35 miles
Rental car
53 min$40-60/day
Shuttle/rideshare
70 min$42-70
Long Island MacArthur (ISP)45 miles
Rental car
68 min$40-60/day
Shuttle/rideshare
90 min$54-90

Nearby Attractions

Danbury Railway Museum

Historic railway museum featuring vintage trains and exhibits

Tarrywile Park

722-acre park with hiking trails, mansion, and picnic areas

Danbury Fair Mall

Major shopping and entertainment destination

Transfer Admission

Minimum credits
12 semester hours

International Students

Western Connecticut State University Application Checklist

Decision Notifications

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