Westfield State University
Westfield State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Westfield State University at a Glance
Westfield State University is a public university in Westfield, Massachusetts, United States. It was founded in 1839 by Horace Mann as the first public coeducational college in America.
1839
187 years old
$20M
$20 million (2020)
4,555
3,788 undergrad · 767 grad
256 acres
Identity
Is Westfield State University Worth It?
Westfield State University offers moderate value at $16,721/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $57,346, 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 55% 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 Westfield State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in MA
Ranked #38 of 131 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 | Purdue University Northwest | 86 | $6,079 | $48,318 |
| #6 | University of Illinois Springfield | 83 | $9,833 | $57,103 |
| #38 | Westfield State University | 47 | $16,721 | $57,346 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Westfield State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 6 in MA.
Best Programs at Westfield State University
The highest-earning program at Westfield State University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $64,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $24,900/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Westfield State University earns $64,800, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $24,900. 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 $27,000 in median debt vs. $22,500 for Fine and Studio Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $16,721/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 | $64,800 | $64,800 | $27,000 |
| Economics | $41,800 | $41,800 | $25,389 |
| Mathematics | $39,400 | $39,400 | $24,889 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $39,000 | $39,000 | $22,875 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $36,700 | $36,700 | $22,750 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $34,800 | $34,800 | $24,000 |
| Social Work | $34,300 | $34,300 | $19,225 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $34,000 | $34,000 | $19,500 |
| City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning | $31,400 | $31,400 | $21,896 |
| Information Science/Studies | $31,000 | $31,000 | $21,928 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $30,900 | $30,900 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General | $30,300 | $30,300 | $25,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $30,200 | $30,200 | $24,193 |
| Biology, General | $30,200 | $30,200 | $26,730 |
| Political Science and Government | $29,900 | $29,900 | $23,984 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $29,600 | $29,600 | $26,567 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $29,300 | $29,300 | $23,378 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $28,200 | $28,200 | $25,500 |
| History | $26,200 | $26,200 | $21,003 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $24,900 | $24,900 | $22,500 |
Similar Colleges in MA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Westfield, MA
- Student Body
- 3,615 students
- Admission Rate
- 81%
- Graduation Rate
- 55%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $16,721
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $57,346
- Median Student Debt
- $22,457