Western Connecticut State University
Western Connecticut State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Western Connecticut State University at a Glance
Western Connecticut State University is a public university in Danbury, Connecticut, United States. It was founded in 1903 as a teacher's college and is part of the Connecticut State University System.
1903
123 years old
$13M
$12.8 million
4,441
3,853 undergrad · 588 grad
223
398 acres
Identity
Is Western Connecticut State University Worth It?
Western Connecticut State University offers moderate value at $17,604/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $59,115, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 51% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How Western Connecticut State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #51 of 108 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #2 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #3 | Bellingham Technical College | 92 | $5,997 | $49,748 |
| #4 | Bates Technical College | 86 | $6,292 | $50,051 |
| #5 | University of Illinois Springfield | 83 | $9,833 | $57,103 |
| #6 | California State University-Channel Islands | 83 | $9,849 | $62,152 |
| #51 | Western Connecticut State University | 43 | $17,604 | $59,115 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Western Connecticut State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in CT.
Best Programs at Western Connecticut State University
The highest-earning program at Western Connecticut State University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $71,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $17,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Western Connecticut State University earns $71,700, while a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduate earns $17,200. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $25,000 in median debt vs. $23,119 for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $17,604/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $71,700 | $71,700 | $25,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $53,900 | $53,900 | $25,125 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $50,200 | $50,200 | $21,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $45,200 | $45,200 | $19,219 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $43,400 | $43,400 | $24,982 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $38,700 | $38,700 | $20,900 |
| Marketing | $38,300 | $38,300 | $21,150 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $36,000 | $36,000 | $25,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $32,800 | $32,800 | $25,990 |
| History | $30,600 | $30,600 | $27,000 |
| Social Work | $29,600 | $29,600 | $23,885 |
| Psychology, General | $29,200 | $29,200 | $26,163 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | $29,200 | $29,200 | $25,071 |
| Biology, General | $28,600 | $28,600 | $24,908 |
| Leisure and Recreational Activities | $28,200 | $28,200 | $21,595 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $25,600 | $25,600 | $25,000 |
| Music | $19,500 | $19,500 | $28,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $17,200 | $17,200 | $23,119 |
Similar Colleges in CT
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Danbury, CT
- Student Body
- 3,511 students
- Admission Rate
- 87%
- Graduation Rate
- 51%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $17,604
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $59,115
- Median Student Debt
- $24,147