Western Connecticut State University
Danbury, Connecticut · Public · 3,511 undergraduates · wcsu.edu
Test policy (fall 2027)
Test optional
Sending scores is your choice
Admit rate
87%
of applicants
SAT (middle 50%)
1040 to 1170
of enrolled freshmen
Annual cost (2027-28)
$32,580Est.Estimate
$36,270 out of state
Your chances and merit aid at Western Connecticut State University
See where you stand for admission, how much merit aid you could get, and what you'd pay after it.
We started you at a typical enrolled freshman here. Move the sliders to match you.
Your admission chances
87% of applicants admitted
Target
Your SAT is inside the range where the middle half of enrolled freshmen scored.
Estimated merit aid
a year
Your cost after merit aid
$36,270
a year in 2027-28, from a $36,270 sticker price (out of state)
What to do with your 1110
Send your score
Your SAT is at or above the median of freshmen who sent scores (1110).
Reach, target and likely are a rough guide from your test score and how selective the college is. Admissions also weigh your courses, grades, essays and activities. Merit aid figures are estimates, before any need-based aid.
Admissions
Test policy for fall 2027
Test optional
You choose whether to send an SAT or ACT score. If you send one, it's considered.
- Reviews applications as they arrive, so applying early helps.
Source: Freshman Applicant Requirements for Admission | Admissions · Checked October 17, 2026
Application deadlines
- Mar1Other deadline · March 1, 2027
Who gets in
87%
of applicants are admitted.
Test scores of enrolled freshmen
The shaded part shows the middle half of enrolled freshmen who sent scores: a quarter scored below it and a quarter above.
SAT total 1040 to 1170
Reading and Writing 510 to 580
Math 530 to 590
Cost and financial aid
The sticker price is what a year costs before any aid. Most students pay less after grants and scholarships.
Sticker price for 2027-28Estimate
$32,580
a year, in state
$36,270
a year, out of state (tuition $17,480)
- Tuition (in state)$13,790
What families actually pay
What a year cost on average after grants and scholarships, for freshmen who got federal aid in 2023-24 (in-state students), by family income.
- $0 to $30,000$16,782
- $30,001 to $48,000$13,173
- $48,001 to $75,000$14,133
- $75,001 to $110,000$16,957
- Over $110,000$22,061
Financial aidEstimate
35%
of a student's financial need is covered, on average
86%
of freshmen receive grants
$12,870
average grant to freshmen
Merit scholarships
Awards for grades and scores, on top of need-based aid. You don't repay them.
Connecticut programs for residents
Roberta B. Willis Scholarship - Need-Based/Merit (Need and Merit-Based) Award
$4,650 to $5,250 a year
State program · In-state students
- 1200+ SAT or 25+ ACT, Need-merit award (rank or test pathway); Financial need: SAI at or below OHE cutoff for the award year; HS counselor submits application on student's behalf and FAFSA filed by Feb 15
Compare awards across colleges with the merit aid calculator.
AP credit
AP exams that earn credit can replace college courses, so you pay for fewer of them and may graduate sooner.
AP exams that earn credit
33 of 33
Earn credit with a score of 3
30 exams
A 3-credit course is worth
about $1,380Est.Estimate
at 2027-28 tuition for in-state students
Credit for each AP exam
| Exam | Score needed | Credits | Counts as |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-D Art and Design | 3 | 3 | ART 121 |
| 3-D Art and Design | 3 | 3 | ART 266 |
| African American Studies | 3 | 3 | HIS/AAS 219 |
| Art History | 3 | 6 | ART 100, 101 |
| Biology | 3 | 8 | BIO 103, 104 |
| Calculus AB | 3 | 4 | MAT 181 |
| Calculus BC | 3 | 8 | MAT 181, 182 |
| Chemistry | 3 | 4 | CHE 110 |
| Comparative Government and Politics | 3 | 6 | PS 104, 991 |
| Computer Science A | 3 | 4 | CS 140 |
| Computer Science Principles | 3 | 3 | CS 991 |
| Drawing | 3 | 3 | ART 141 |
| English Language and Composition | 3 | 3 | WRT 101, |
| English Literature and Composition | 3 | 3 | WRT 101, |
| Environmental Science | 3 | 4 | BIO/ENV 156 |
| European History | 3 | 6 | HIS 186, 187 |
| French Language and Culture | 3 | 6 | FR 162, 164 |
| German Language and Culture | 3 | 6 | GER 162, 164 |
| Human Geography | 3 | 3 | GEO 100 |
| Italian Language and Culture | 3 | 6 | IT 162, 164 |
| Macroeconomics | 3 | 3 | ECO 211 |
| Microeconomics | 3 | 3 | ECO 213 |
| Music Theory | 3 | 3 | MUS 990 |
| Physics 1 | 3 | 4 | PHY 103 |
| Physics 1 | 4 | PHY 120, 121 | |
| Physics 2 | 4 | PHY 120, 121 | |
| Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism | 4 | PHY 111 | |
| Physics C: Mechanics | 4 | PHY 110 | |
| Psychology | 3 | 3 | PSY 100 |
| Spanish Language and Culture | 3 | 6 | SPA 162, 164 |
| Statistics | 3 | 3 | MAT 120 or FIN 230 |
| United States Government and Politics | 3 | 6 | PS 102, 991 |
| United States History | 3 | 6 | HIS 148, 149 |
| World History: Modern | 3 | 6 | HIS 991 |
Source: AP credit policy
After college
Graduate within 6 years
51%
Come back for a second year
73%
Typical earnings
$62,010
a year, 10 years after starting here
- Western Connecticut State University$63,688
- All colleges$57,826
Median yearly earnings of graduates five years after finishing a bachelor's in this major. 22 majors here have earnings data.
Keep exploring
Figures marked Estimate are our estimates, not numbers the college published. Check each college's own site before you apply. SAT is a trademark of College Board, and ACT is a trademark of ACT, Inc. Sharp is not affiliated with either, or with Western Connecticut State University. The Western Connecticut State University logo is a trademark of the college.