What is the acceptance rate at Western Connecticut State University?

Western Connecticut State University's acceptance rate is approximately 87% (Danbury, CT), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.

What SAT score do you need for Western Connecticut State University?

Admitted students at Western Connecticut State University typically score 1040–1170 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.

How much does Western Connecticut State University cost?

At Western Connecticut State University, the average net price (after aid) is about $17,604 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.

How many undergraduates attend Western Connecticut State University?

Western Connecticut State University enrolls approximately 3,511 undergraduate students.

Where is Western Connecticut State University located?

Western Connecticut State University is located in Danbury, CT.

Western Connecticut State University: Acceptance Rate, SAT & Cost — QuantAdmit

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Western Connecticut State University

Danbury, CTpublicwcsu.edu

Acceptance

87%

SAT 25–75

1040–1170

Avg net price

$17,604

Earnings (10 yr)

$59,115

Graduation rate

52%

Admit rate has ranged 76%–85% 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.

Western Connecticut State University is a public university in Danbury that combines affordability with a surprisingly intimate, community-focused experience. With an acceptance rate hovering around 80%, WCSU attracts students drawn to its strong nursing, criminal justice, and business programs—and a net price that undercuts most regional competitors. The vibe is scrappy and supportive, with graduates often landing solid middle-class jobs shortly after earning degrees.

Admission requirements

Test-optional — scores considered if submitted

Required

High school transcript
Grade point average
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)

Considered (not required)

Class rank
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)

Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.

More details

Undergrad enrollment: 3,511
In-state tuition: $13,401
Out-of-state tuition: $16,901
Top Majors: Psychology, Nursing, Criminal Justice, Business
Acceptance Rate: 81-87%
4-Year Graduation Rate: 33%
Median Earnings After 1 Year: $36,427

Outcomes & value

Median earnings (10 yr): $59,115
Value (earnings ÷ net price): 3.4×
Median debt at graduation: $24,147
Graduation rate: 52%
First-year retention: 73%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr): 64%
Pell (lower-income) share: 56%
First-generation share: 38%
Endowment / student: $8,052

Top-earning majors

Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$75,104
Accounting and Related Services$57,995
Computer and Information Sciences, General$57,318
Management Information Systems and Services$57,318
Finance and Financial Management Services$46,321
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas

Campus & location

Campus safety

On-campus violent crimes (2024): 2
Per 1,000 students: 0.57

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.

Climate

Pleasant days / yr: 96
Summer high: 80°F
Winter low: 26°F
Annual rain: 52.9"
Annual snow: 27.1"

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).

Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility

Research output

Institutional h-index: 75
Scholarly works: 1,716

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.

Economic mobility

Mobility rate: 1.7%
Bottom → top quintile: 38%
From bottom quintile: 5%

Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.

Quick answers

What is the acceptance rate at Western Connecticut State University?: Western Connecticut State University's acceptance rate is approximately 87% (Danbury, CT), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Western Connecticut State University?: Admitted students at Western Connecticut State University typically score 1040–1170 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Western Connecticut State University cost?: At Western Connecticut State University, the average net price (after aid) is about $17,604 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Western Connecticut State University?: Western Connecticut State University enrolls approximately 3,511 undergraduate students.
Where is Western Connecticut State University located?: Western Connecticut State University is located in Danbury, CT.

Admissions

WCSU is decidedly not a selective school, with ranging from 81% to 87% across sources—making it one of Connecticut’s more accessible public universities. SAT/ACT scores are optional for applicants with a B average (3.0 GPA) or those in the top 35% of their high school class. The university enrolled about 3,567 of the 5,142 students it admitted in a recent cycle, suggesting many admitted students choose more prestigious (and expensive) options. Notably, WCSU’s admissions office emphasizes flexibility, with August 1 deadlines for test scores—unusually late compared to most schools.

prepscholar.com usnews.com bigfuture.collegeboard.org petersons.com wcsu.edu

Academics

WCSU’s academic offerings lean heavily practical, with psychology, nursing, criminal justice, and business dominating as the most popular majors. The university provides 4-year plan templates for degree programs, though students are encouraged to customize them—a nod to its accommodating ethos. While not a research powerhouse, WCSU markets its "world-class facilities" and "state-of-the-art technology," particularly in professional programs like nursing. The catalog emphasizes affordability and career readiness over prestige, with faculty who seem focused on teaching rather than publishing.