
Framingham, MApublicwww.framingham.edu/
Admit rate has ranged 74%–87% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Framingham State University is a public institution with a tight-knit, first-gen-friendly vibe just 20 miles from Boston. Known for its affordability and hands-on programs like its singular undergraduate linguistics degree, FSU blends commuter energy with residential community—think 60+ clubs, DIII sports, and a 50% graduation rate that punches above its weight for a regional state school.
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
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Outcomes & value
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Campus & location
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Framingham State maintains a moderately selective admissions process with an 84% acceptance rate, admitting most applicants with solid grades and test scores (though it's Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight.). The middle 50% SAT range for enrolled students falls between 1120–1270, with ACT scores typically 19–28. About 2,782 students matriculate annually from an applicant pool of roughly 4,500. The university emphasizes accessibility, with a July 1 regular decision deadline—unusually late compared to most schools.
FSU offers across three colleges, with standout niches like being the with a bachelor’s degree. Popular majors include , , and . The supports hands-on learning, though the reflects the challenges of its commuter-heavy, demographic. Programs skew practical, with professional fields and education dominating the curriculum.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
A 49%/51% split between on- and off-campus housing defines FSU’s hybrid identity—part commuter school, part residential community. Students rally around 60+ clubs, NCAA DIII sports, and perks like free museum access. The vibe is unpretentious and supportive: 91% report feeling "extremely safe" on campus, and resources like First-generation (first-gen)A student who would be the first in their immediate family to earn a four-year college degree. Many colleges consider this in context. programs foster inclusion. Proximity to Boston (20 miles) adds urban opportunities, but the campus itself buzzes with events, from cultural festivals to Rams games.
FSU’s 50% six-year graduation rate is modest but aligns with its mission of serving diverse learners. Alumni earn $43,743 one year post-graduation, climbing to $59,034 after five years—$7K+ above the national average for public universities. STEM and business grads fare best, with math majors pulling $43,539 early-career. The university leans into workforce-aligned programs, ensuring most graduates land jobs in education, healthcare, or tech within Massachusetts.
FSU’s $26K in-state/$32K out-of-state sticker price is offset by robust aid: 65% of students receive assistance, with an average grant of $9,438 bringing the Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. down to $17,715 for many. Need-based packages include a $1,200 book allowance for families earning under $85K. High-need students may pay as little as $10K annually, while higher-income households face costs around $25,516. Loans and work-study fill gaps, but FSU markets itself as a "best value" public option near Boston.
Framingham State carves a niche as the anti-UMass: a smaller, scrappier public university where First-generation (first-gen)A student who would be the first in their immediate family to earn a four-year college degree. Many colleges consider this in context. students and commuters thrive. Its linguistics program’s uniqueness and education pipeline (it was founded as America’s first public normal school in 1839) anchor its identity. The Boston adjacency and DIII school spirit—think hockey games and pep rallies—balance its no-frills academics. For students priced out of private colleges but wanting more intimacy than a mega-state school, FSU delivers community and ROI without pretension.