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Westfield State University

Westfield, Massachusetts 01086-1630

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

SuburbanGreek life

Known for business

Westfield State University is a public institution in Westfield with particular strength in business and health sciences.

A mid-sized campus of 3.5K undergraduates with a 15:1 student-faculty ratio. The suburban location offers a balance of campus life and nearby amenities.

55% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $57,346 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $18,561.

Established
1839
Mascot
Nestor
Type
Public university
Division
Division III

Campus Visits

111 upcoming visits · Next: Mon, Jun 1 · Campus Visit

Plan Your Visit

Admission Office

Parenzo Hall, 577 Western Avenue, Westfield, MA 01086

413-572-5218[email protected]
81%Acceptance
SAT Avg
3,481Students
15:1Student:Faculty
55%Grad Rate
$57,346Earnings 10yr
$18,561Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate80.7%

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

Admissions

Test-OptionalTracks InterestOn-Campus Interviews

Application Platforms

Common ApplicationMassTransfer

Early Action

November 15

Regular Decision

March 1

Financial Aid

Merit Scholarships

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$11,882
Tuition (out-of-state)$17,962
Room & Board$13,510
Books & Supplies$1,140
Total Cost of Attendance$26,435
Average Net Price$18,561
Median Debt at Graduation$22,457
Monthly Payment (10yr)$238

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$11,168
$30–48K$13,563
$48–75K$16,154
$75–110K$21,803
$110K+$24,459

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

45.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

2.5%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$15,250

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

25

Peer Average

37

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

6

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
75
Avg class size
20
Student-faculty ratio
17:1

Programs (73)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

71%

Mixed

Campus Life

Division IIIMassachusetts State Collegiate Athletic ConferenceGreek Life

Housing & Residential Life

freshman year

Housing Styles

traditional residence hallssuite-styleapartments

Dining

Student Body

Undergrads
3,481
Gender Split
54% / 46%
Women / Men
First Generation
31%
Pell Grant Recipients
33%

Race & Ethnicity

White 70%
Black 7%
Hispanic 14%
Asian 2%
Two+ 3%
Int'l 1%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate54.9%
Freshman Retention70.7%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$46,861
10 Years$57,346

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

Rankings

U.S. News
#94
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Owls

Sports women

History & Fun Facts

  • History In 1839, Horace Mann founded a state normal school in Barre, Massachusetts.
  • It was the second normal school in Massachusetts after the Lexington Normal School, which was founded earlier in the year.
  • The Barre Normal School was suspended following Newman's death and moved to Westfield in 1844, where it became the Westfield Normal School.
  • The institution adopted its current name in 2010 as part of a statewide change.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

136Very High

Estimated from MA state average + suburban adjustment

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 60"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Bostonpop. 675K
90 mi(156 min)
New Yorkpop. 8.3M
116 mi(201 min)
Philadelphiapop. 1.6M
195 mi(338 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

BDL Hartford Bradley15 mi
ALB Albany67 mi
PVD Providence TF Green76 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA90 mi · ~2h 36m drive
New York, NY116 mi · ~3h 21m drive
Hartford, CT26 mi · ~45 min drive
Providence, RI74 mi · ~2h 8m drive
Albany, NY61 mi · ~1h 46m drive
Syracuse, NY182 mi · ~5h 15m drive
Rochester, NY255 mi · ~7h 22m drive
Buffalo, NY314 mi · ~9h 4m drive
Philadelphia, PA195 mi · ~5h 38m drive
Pittsburgh, PA391 mi · ~11h 18m drive
Harrisburg, PA248 mi · ~7h 10m drive
Newark, NJ120 mi · ~3h 28m drive
Trenton, NJ167 mi · ~4h 49m drive
Central (cold winters, warm summers)

Visit Planning

Nearby Attractions

Downtown Westfieldwalkable

Historic downtown with shops, restaurants, and the Westfield Athenaeum

Stanley Parkwalkable

Large municipal park with gardens, trails, and recreational facilities

Six Flags New England

Major theme park in nearby Agawam

Basketball Hall of Fame

Museum celebrating basketball history in Springfield

Transfer Admission

Minimum credits
12 semester hours

International Students

Countries
25

Deadline Calendar

Westfield State University Application Checklist

Decision Notifications