Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) vs Lesley University

Western Connecticut State University and Lesley University, while both offering a range of undergraduate and graduate programs, present distinct academic experiences. Western Connecticut State University, located in Danbury, Connecticut, boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for prospective students. Lesley University, situated in Cambridge, Massachusetts, stands out for its focus on education and human services, reflected in its popular majors such as Elementary Education and Psychology. While Western Connecticut State University offers a diverse student body, Lesley University excels in providing a supportive environment for students with learning differences. As you explore the detailed comparison table, you'll uncover further insights into these institutions' graduation rates, tuition fees, and other crucial factors, empowering you to make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
Lesley University logo

Lesley University

Western Connecticut State University logo

Western Connecticut State University

Overview

Location Cambridge, 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 75.0% 69.0%
Common app member Yes Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 86.9% 84.9%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $50

Graduate: $50
SAT range N/A N/A
ACT range N/A N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants 2,942 4,688
Total number of admissions given out 2,558 3,978
Admitted students who chose to enroll 280 733
Yield rate 10.9% 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 $41,775
In state: $28,783

Out of state: $42,187
Average net price $31,928 $15,660
Tuition $29,200
In state: $6,162

Out of state: $18,436
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $10,060

Meal plan: $6,900
Room/dormitory: $8,020

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

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

100.0%
Average amount $16,316
78.0%
Average amount $6,312
Students receiving federal student loan 59.0%
Average amount $5,124
58.0%
Average amount $7,417
Students taking out private loans 7.0%
Average amount $15,411
5.0%
Average amount $12,388

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 1,757
Men 23.4% Women 76.6%
4,172
Men 47.6% Women 52.4%
Graduate students 2,253
Men 13.6% Women 86.4%
630
Men 25.4% Women 74.6%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Low
Moderate
Out-of-state students N/A 28.6%
International students 3.7% 0.4%
Campus local/setting City: Midsize City: Small
Dormitory capacity 799 1,315
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from N/A Connecticut New York New Jersey Mississippi Maine

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Education
  • Health Professions
  • Visual & Performing Arts
  • Liberal Arts
  • Business
  • Business
  • Psychology
  • Health Professions
  • Law Enforcement and Firefighting
  • Visual & Performing Arts
Students to faculty ratio 10:1 11:1
Institutional accreditation New England Commission on Higher Education New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome

Graduation rate 60.5% 52.9%
Dropout rate 12.4% 12.0%
Transferred out 26.3% 31.0%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Education, General (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: $91,807
  • Year 2: $85,760
  • Year 3: $80,016
Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $54,822
  • Year 2: $53,298
  • Year 3: $57,561
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $47,186
  • Year 2: $50,606
  • Year 3: $57,321
Education, Other (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $53,259
  • Year 2: $51,690
  • Year 3: $56,263
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $51,742
  • Year 2: $49,855
  • Year 3: $55,299
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $52,191
  • Year 2: $44,595
  • Year 3: $50,138
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $43,470
  • Year 2: $46,869
  • Year 3: $49,494
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $42,051
  • Year 2: $41,353
  • Year 3: $44,028
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $42,433
  • Year 3: $38,957
Design and Applied Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $30,949
  • Year 2: $20,687
  • Year 3: $37,894
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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