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Western Connecticut State University

Western

Danbury, Connecticut 06810-6826

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Business-focusedUrbanGreek life

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

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

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

50.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

-4.0%/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%

Mixed

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.

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

138Very High

Estimated from CT state average + city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

New Yorkpop. 8.3M
56 mi(97 min)
Philadelphiapop. 1.6M
135 mi(234 min)
Bostonpop. 675K
139 mi(241 min)

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)

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