Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) vs Clark University

Western Connecticut State University and Clark University, while both offering quality education, present distinct characteristics that cater to different student preferences. Western Connecticut State University, a public institution, boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for prospective students. Clark University, on the other hand, is a private university with a more selective admissions process. In terms of student body demographics, Western Connecticut State University has a larger and more diverse student population, while Clark University has a smaller student body with a higher percentage of international students. Regarding academic offerings, Western Connecticut State University excels in fields like nursing, education, and business, while Clark University is renowned for its strengths in psychology, biology, and environmental science. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover further distinctions between these two institutions and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
Clark University logo

Clark University

Western Connecticut State University logo

Western Connecticut State University

Overview

Location Worcester, Massachusetts Danbury, Connecticut
Campus setting City: Midsize City: Small
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Private (Non Profit) Public
Calendar system Semester Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 87.0% 69.0%
Common app member Yes Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 48.0% 84.9%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $60

Graduate: $100
Undergraduate: $50

Graduate: $50
SAT range 1218 - 1403 N/A
ACT range 27 - 30 N/A
Students submitting SAT score 17.0%
Students submitting ACT score 5.0%
Total number of applicants 8,151 4,688
Total number of admissions given out 3,915 3,978
Admitted students who chose to enroll 505 733
Yield rate 12.9% 18.4%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Required
Recommendation letters Required Not required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Required Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price $62,302
In state: $28,783

Out of state: $42,187
Average net price $31,565 $15,660
Tuition $49,950
In state: $6,162

Out of state: $18,436
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $6,000

Meal plan: $4,150
Room/dormitory: $8,020

Meal plan: $5,856
Available payment plans
  • Prepaid tuition plan
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

95.0%
Average amount $27,608
78.0%
Average amount $6,312
Students receiving federal student loan 60.0%
Average amount $5,282
58.0%
Average amount $7,417
Students taking out private loans 9.0%
Average amount $16,271
5.0%
Average amount $12,388

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 2,302
Men 42.1% Women 57.9%
4,172
Men 47.6% Women 52.4%
Graduate students 1,048
Men 49.3% Women 50.7%
630
Men 25.4% Women 74.6%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Low
Moderate
Out-of-state students N/A 28.6%
International students 23.0% 0.4%
Campus local/setting City: Midsize City: Small
Dormitory capacity 1,633 1,315
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from Mississippi New York Connecticut Maine New Jersey Connecticut New York New Jersey Mississippi Maine

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Business
  • Mathematics and Statistics
  • Social Sciences
  • Public Administration and Social Service
  • Computer and Information Science
  • Business
  • Psychology
  • Health Professions
  • Law Enforcement and Firefighting
  • Visual & Performing Arts
Students to faculty ratio 9:1 11:1
Institutional accreditation New England Commission on Higher Education New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome

Graduation rate 79.0% 52.9%
Dropout rate 6.8% 12.0%
Transferred out 14.1% 31.0%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $69,601
  • Year 2: $64,328
  • Year 3: $76,941
Geography and Cartography (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $54,259
  • Year 2: $52,733
  • Year 3: $68,708
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $38,937
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: $58,038
Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $44,649
  • Year 2: $48,432
  • Year 3: $50,210
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $48,148
  • Year 2: $44,418
  • Year 3: $49,665
Public Administration (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $42,833
  • Year 2: $37,208
  • Year 3: $49,591
Community Organization and Advocacy (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $32,656
  • Year 2: $39,639
  • Year 3: $47,508
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $25,412
  • Year 2: $34,526
  • Year 3: $46,715
Communication and Media Studies (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $31,423
  • Year 3: $46,559
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $37,568
  • Year 3: $46,250
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $75,081
  • Year 2: $75,104
  • Year 3: $76,468
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $51,332
  • Year 2: $57,995
  • Year 3: $70,455
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $44,994
  • Year 2: $57,318
  • Year 3: $65,192
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $56,867
  • Year 3: $58,464
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $49,944
  • Year 2: $46,321
  • Year 3: $51,949
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $43,260
  • Year 2: $41,464
  • Year 3: $50,288
Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $47,672
  • Year 2: $46,087
  • Year 3: $49,639
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $42,963
  • Year 2: $45,340
  • Year 3: $47,607
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $40,029
  • Year 2: $41,441
  • Year 3: $44,462
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $32,205
  • Year 2: $35,877
  • Year 3: $43,291

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