Head-to-head · 2026
Charter Oak State College vs Western Connecticut State University
Compare average net price ($15,815 at Charter Oak State College; $17,604 at Western Connecticut State University), ROI score (10.15 vs 8.40), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($64,209 vs $59,115), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Charter Oak State College; 87% at Western Connecticut State University) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Charter Oak State College | Western Connecticut State University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 10.15 ✓ | 8.40 |
| Avg net price | $15,815 ✓ | $17,604 |
| 4-year avg net price | $63,260 ✓ | $70,416 |
| In-state tuition | $8,506 | $13,401 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $8,506 | $16,901 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $64,209 ✓ | $59,115 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 87% |
| Graduation rate | 66.7% ✓ | 51.8% |
| Retention rate | 100% ✓ | 73.2% |
| Median debt | $18,683 ✓ | $24,147 |
| Enrollment | 1,821 | 3,511 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1110 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Charter Oak State College | Western Connecticut State University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | — | $13,507 |
| Family income $30–48k | — | $13,716 |
| Family income $48–75k | $15,815 ✓ | $16,697 |
| Family income $75–110k | — | $18,737 |
| Family income $110k+ | — | $21,318 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Charter Oak State College | Western Connecticut State University |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 32.4% | 1.2% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 15.9% | 6.3% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 16.7% | 0.7% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 6.1% | 8.1% |
| Psychology, General | 7.8% | 5.9% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 2.8% | 8.9% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 7.2% | 3.5% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Charter Oak State College reports the lower average net price by $1,789 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $7,156 difference over four years ($63,260 vs $70,416).
Charter Oak State College reports $5,094 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($64,209 vs $59,115). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 100% at Charter Oak State College and 73.2% at Western Connecticut State University. Median federal debt among completers is $18,683 vs $24,147, respectively.
7 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Charter Oak State College vs Western Connecticut State University, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Charter Oak State College is cheaper — average net price $15,815 per year vs $17,604 at Western Connecticut State University. The annual difference of $1,789 adds up to about $7,156 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Charter Oak State College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $64,209 vs $59,115 at Western Connecticut State University. The gap in the federal data is $5,094. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.