Worcester State University is a public institution offering graduate degrees based in Worcester, Massachusetts. It enrolls 3,930 students (a mid-sized student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
AccreditorNew England Commission on Higher Education
Academic CalendarSemester
How It Measures Up
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Strong
75/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes56
Value89
Affordability61
Selectivity37
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 88%, Worcester State University is broadly accessible to qualified applicants.
Acceptance Rate
88%
Easy
SAT Range (25th–75th)
1026 – 1283
Reading + Math combined
ACT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether Worcester State University is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Becoming less selective ↑
9.1 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending Worcester State University isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $13,381 per year. That's below the typical net price for public colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$13,381
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
30%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
44%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees (in-state)
$11,786
Tuition & Fees (out-of-state)
$17,866
Room & Board (on-campus)
$14,307
Room & Board (off-campus)
$10,793
Books & Supplies
$1,368
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$1,892
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$2,190
Total Cost of Attendance
$22,874
Application fee: $50 (one-time, due at submission)
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$8,793
$30,001 – $48,000
$9,629
$48,001 – $75,000
$9,540
$75,001 – $110,000
$13,658
Over $110,000
$19,679
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$3,25010%percentile
$5,50025%percentile
$19,500Medianpercentile
$22,52575%percentile
$28,50090%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $14,250
↓ $5,250
No Pell $13,000
↓ $6,500
Dependent students $14,250
↓ $5,250
Independent students $11,000
↓ $8,500
Female students $14,047
↓ $5,453
Male students $12,700
↓ $6,800
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $8,750, less than completers ($19,500), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
29% of full-time students who enrolled at Worcester State University graduate within six years, and 77% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
29%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
77%
Returning for their second year
What this means:
Lower than typical completion. Worth asking the school how they support students who fall behind.
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Worcester State University earn a median of $60,624 ten years after first enrolling. That's above the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$60,624
Earning > $25K
83%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$48,100
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$58,300
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$51,700
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$49,800
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$55,000
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $10,200, about 17% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
12.2 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Excellent. 86% of graduates were paying down at least $1 of principal seven years out.
Who Studies Here
Worcester State University is home to 3,930 students, a mid-sized community. Some distinctive traits: 36% are first-generation college students.
Total Enrolled
3,930
Part-Time
14%
First-Generation
36%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 58.6%2,301
Hispanic 19.2%755
Black 9.9%387
Asian 5.5%217
Other 3.1%121
International 2.0%77
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at Worcester State University. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Midsize CityWorcester, Massachusetts
Housing
Mostly residential1,584 beds on campus
Adult Learners
12%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
What You Can Study
Worcester State University offers
an extensive catalog of programs:
49 distinct programs across
18 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at Worcester State University is 15:1, close to the national average.
Student : Faculty
15:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Instruction / Student
$10,328
Annual instructional spending per enrolled student
Endowment
$24M
Modest endowment
Avg Faculty Salary
$85,280
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
197 instructional faculty across 4 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
82
42%
$105,916
Associate Professors
52
26%
$76,066
Assistant Professors
53
27%
$67,508
Instructors
10
5%
$58,160
Pros & Cons of Worcester State University
A quick at-a-glance summary of how Worcester State University tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Below-average net price
Accessible admissions for most applicants
Reasonable class sizes
Solid post-graduation earnings
CONS
Low completion rate, many students don't graduate within six years
Modest first-year retention
Best for:
Based on the data, Worcester State University is a fit for
students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier.
Frequently Asked Questions about Worcester State University
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Worcester State University.
Is Worcester State University hard to get into?
Worcester State University has open or near-open admissions. Most qualified applicants are accepted. Acceptance rate: 88%.
What is the acceptance rate at Worcester State University?
Worcester State University has an acceptance rate of 88%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What SAT score do you need for Worcester State University?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Worcester State University scored between 1026 and 1283 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
How much does Worcester State University cost?
The average net price after aid at Worcester State University is $13,381 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is Worcester State University worth it?
Solid return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $60,624 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $13,381 per year. That's roughly 4.5x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is Worcester State University known for?
Worcester State University is best known for its programs in Psychology, Business Administration, Criminal Justice. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do Worcester State University graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering Worcester State University are $60,624, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is Worcester State University accredited?
Yes. Worcester State University is accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education.
How many students attend Worcester State University?
Worcester State University enrolls 3,930 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at Worcester State University?
Worcester State University graduates 29% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is Worcester State University a public or private college?
Worcester State University is a Public institution.
Where is Worcester State University located?
Worcester State University is located in Worcester, Massachusetts.
What programs does Worcester State University offer?
Worcester State University offers 49 distinct programs. The most popular include Psychology, Business Administration, Criminal Justice.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Worcester State University?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Worcester State University is 15:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
Related Colleges in Massachusetts
Other colleges in Massachusetts share the same applicant pool, regional economy, and academic landscape. Comparing nearby options puts admissions, costs, and outcomes in context, useful when weighing your fit against local alternatives.
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