Founded in 1903, Western Connecticut State University. is a Public college. Located in Connecticut, which is a city setting in Connecticut, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 5,181 full time undergraduate students, and 540 full time graduate students.
The Western Connecticut State University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 13:1. There are 224 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Western Connecticut State University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.
Quick Facts
Acceptance Rate
66%
Application Deadline
Application Fee
50
SAT Range
ACT Range
Admissions at WCSU are considered Selective, with ,20% of all applicants being admitted.
In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 15 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.
61% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 20% were in the top quarter, and 5% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.
STUDENT LIFE Reviews
We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Western Connecticut State University.
16%
“We”re apathetic”
29%
“We know about current events and vote”
52%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
3%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
10%
“We save it for the classroom”
39%
“Sometimes, but not often”
45%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
6%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
10%
“I only go out in groups”
37%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
53%
“I feel extremely safe”
25%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
57%
“We bought the gear”
18%
“We live for the big game”
0%
“It”s not really our thing”
3%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
48%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
48%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
3%
“Available in class”
74%
“They keep regular office hours”
23%
“They”re always available”
6%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
45%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
45%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
3%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
70 Students rated on-campus housing 3.5 stars. 11 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate off-campus housing?
57 Students rated off-campus housing 3 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus food?
79 Students rated campus food 2.8 stars. 10 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus facilities?
83 Students rated campus facilities 3.9 stars. 28 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate class size?
83 Students rated class size 4.3 stars. 45 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate school activities?
83 Students rated school activities 3.6 stars. 24 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate local services?
83 Students rated local services 4 stars. 43 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate academics?
82 Students rated academics 4 stars. 35 % gave the school a 5.0.
Western Connecticut State University REVIEWS
What's your overall opinion of Western Connecticut State University?
25 Students rated Western Connecticut State University
Sanai
08/02/2023
Western Connecticut State University is a campus on the smaller side of the scale but it’s very welcoming. It’s pretty effortless to find your group of people. There’s a group for everyone on campus, no matter your race, major, interest, etc. I like the intimacy of our campus because it’s not over crowded but it’s big enough to have a true college experience
Michelle
09/10/2020
WCSU is a fantastic choice if you’re interested in majoring in music. The new Visual and Performing Arts Center is state of the art and the music professors are top notch professional musicians and educators. Music educators who have graduated from WestConn have an instant reputation and are in high demand in Connecticut schools.
Cian
04/01/2020
I love the biology department, but the system itself is so, so flawed! Financial Aid is never helpful and other areas you'll have to stay on top of to get anything done. I transferred in, first semester here, and it was an awful experience getting everything sorted (I transferred from a CSCC). It's also a pretty boring campus; the social aspect isn't there -- in college-held events or in clubs.
Kellie
03/26/2020
I enjoy coming to WestConn. The professors are accessible and knowledgable for the most part, I respect most of them and some are very motivating. The staff is always looking and open to ideas that will help student life and academic life. Many services are available for students like train passes, concerts, healthcare, library, etc.
I lived on campus for 2 years and I loved my freshman year dorm but sophomore year it wasn't the best experience. The food could be a little bit better or more of a variety, but overall its not too bad.
At Western, you get the most bang for your buck, which is the reason I chose the school. I really enjoyed going here and if they had a law school, I'd definitely go back.
Molly
02/05/2020
I love WCSU! it was a very welcoming college and you got to look around campus and was super fun! I loved how many friendly people there were to meet at WCSU. My Aunt and Uncle have previously attended and graduated from WCSU, so knowing how far they've come and how successful they are makes me feel even more determined that WCSU. Is the place for me and I am beyond thrilled to start my adventure at WCSU in 2020!
Marisa
05/08/2019
Good school! Great opportunity to meet many different people and opened instate tuition opportunities for New York students as well. The population has a lot of commuters as it is a state school, however everyone is very friendly!
Jeffrey
03/11/2019
Overall I have had an amazing experience at WCSU, however, this is because I chose to get involved. The campus is highly commuter populated and many students tend to go home on the weekends, so more or less to many it feels like a glorified community college. But much like many other things its what you make of it and the time you put into it, if you go in looking to transfer you are going to miss an incredible community of individuals that encompass our clubs and organizations. Everyone who is involved has found a love for this school because they see all the different opportunities that are offered. I have taken the getting involved to a whole other level by joining several clubs, getting multiple jobs and going to as much as I could. There are a ton of free events that the involved students go to and can win tons of prizes, since our school is a big arts school we have a lot of events going on in the visual performing arts center that are absolutely incredible. Overall the university has a wonderful community and hundreds of things going on at throughout he semesters.
Leah
02/16/2019
Western Connecticut State University has been incredible. The size of the campus is perfect, nowhere is more than a ten minute walk away. While the school runs on the small side, it allows you to have more opportunities for leadership positions and to be as involved as you would like. The class sizes are perfect because you get to know your professors and your professors get to know you. The faculty and administration want you to succeed and if you are willing to make the best out of the school, you will not be disappointed by what the school presents you with.
Robert
01/05/2019
WCSU is a great institution to begin your college career or if you're a returning student. The majority of the students are commuters. Most of the class sizes are less than fifty students. In my experience the science professors are committed to excellence and hold the students to high standards. They're almost always accessible outside of class and since the classes are small it makes the experience much more personal. Many of them will even reach out to you if you're absent or if you receive a grade below your normal range.
Hannah
03/08/2018
I came to Western Connecticut State University because of a financial choice, but hey...education is what YOU make of it. I have gotten involved in and out of the classroom and have seen what this campus really has to offer. It maybe just be "another state school" in your book, but I encourage you to look a little deeper, and take another look. If you are willing to make it happen, college is a platform, and Western Connecticut State University will provide you with a proper foundation.
Baki
01/13/2018
Western Connecticut State University is an amazing college that provides students with a variety of above and beyond experiences. The students are friendly, and teachers are very welcoming. This is a place where it is easy to be yourself, and interact with people who share the same interests as you.
Stephanie
12/19/2017
Western is affordable and near by for me. Also I love the professors, and there are many activities that are held: concerts, games, and much more! I never knew so much happened in my home town. The majority of professors offer office hours and are very willing to help. Others not so much, but overall great neat school!
Brenton
12/12/2017
WCSU is a decent school with 2 decent campuses that are only 15 minutes away from each other (there is a shuttle that brings students back and forth). They are in good locations as the mall is only ten minutes away from each campus and the city is a little less than 2 hours away if you drive, but there is a train station close by and that will be about 2 hours. But the academics aren't all there, while I had some great professors I also had bad ones, not the school to get a good Econ degree if you ask me, I hope to transfer.
Tom
07/28/2017
School could be doing much better, instead of building that new police station, they could have spent the money for the midtown campus gym facility. We have a really great arts program but they don't have a good way of advertising events. Not everyone checks the school website or their emails for information like that, they would be better off with an Instagram page that would post events as they were approaching.
Anwar
06/21/2017
Western has been a place of growth and learning for me, not just in the classroom, but in life as well. I have learned about different cultures, different lifestyles, and different opinions & ideas. WCSU has taught me that being different is a good thing as standing out in a crowd of people will get you places in life and it's always great to help others reach their goals as well.
The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Western Connecticut State University is 66%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020, _____ students were offered admission.
What should every freshman at your school know before they start?
If I could go back and talk to myself I would tell myself to be brave about new experiences. Many times I've stopped myself from doing something I wanted to do because I was afraid I wouldn't be good at it or people would think I had no business being there because I hadn't done it before or that I couldnt' talk with a new person or a teacher because I was afraid they wouldn't like me or they didn't care about me. But most of the time when I forced myself to do something--mainly becuase I had to because it was required--the experience was never as bad as I imagined it to be. In fact most of the time it was a lot better than I thought it would be and I was really glad I did it. I'd also tell myself that even if I only learned ONE thing from a class or a meeting with someone or a new experience, it was time well spent. Learning even only one new thing can be the basis for changing your whole life or giving it greater meaning.
Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.
Wester Connecticut State University is my home away from home: warm and demanding, the only difference is that I have lots of parents i have to respond and respect to, and many siblings to take care of.
The best thing about this school is the professors who are really willing to reach out and help the students. There are exceptions, but most professors that I have encountered want the student to suceed and will help them in any way possible. Most of the faculty are professionals in their field and very knowledageable.
Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!
This university is fortified with a rich culture that is unlike most education establishments in this country. The award winning music and arts programs, teamed with impecable business and notorious Connecticut education programs are superior in nature. The student to teacher ratio and rich student body provides and environment that is both stimulating and culturally sound, leaving every student with lessons taught not only in the classroom, but outside throughout their stay at Western Connecticut State University. Students come from all over to attend this school and I can personally account for the reasons why.
What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?
I wish I would have known the exact classes that I was required to take in order to fulfill my social work major. I also wish that I took all of my general courses before I started taking courses for the major that I planned to pursue.
What's the most frustrating thing about your school?
It is too small, some of the professors aren't available enough, the students are usually more concerned with partying rather than their grades, and there are very little to no scholarships available for students.
What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?
Artsy and yes it is more or less accurate. We are developing a good science program and we have a great teaching program. but a majority of the students here are in the music or theader programs
most of the kids here are c ish students who didnt do well in high school. ( there are alot of transfer students who transfer out to get ot better colleges when they get good grades here so like a second chance at high school and there are also alot of ppl who transfer here because the pricing is competative for a univeristy
The hardest thing about freshman year is time management. You have a ton of freedom that comes with being a college student. So, sometimes it's hard to remember you have a paper due the next day when you have a party you want to go to that night. You defiantly have to make judgement calls when managing your time.
Let's see...some people wear pj's and slippers, while others wear jeans and t-shirt. Hats are ok unless the professor says otherwise. Really people just wear what they feel like wearing.
I want to become a writer and WestConn was the only school I found that had a separate department dedicated just to writing. Also I audited a few classes and was familiar with the campus already.
good school, like alot of schools they do things half backwards.
there is alot of burocracy, however, the students are very helping and have a postive competative atmosphere and most of the teachers actually care which makes the learning experence very cool.
All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA.
Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.
81% of students attending Western Connecticut State University receive some sort of financial aid.
38% were awarded federal grants.50%received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.