Value signal
Lower net price
After typical aid, families pay below the national average.
This school$13.4k
National avg$18.5k
Source: IPEDS 2024
Back to results
Explore more
University public Verified data
Worcester State University
Worcester, MA
Worcester State University at a glance
Worcester State University is a public university in Worcester, Massachusetts with 5,745 students (IPEDS, fall 2024 enrollment). It admitted 88% of applicants (IPEDS, applicants for fall 2024). Its published in-state tuition is $11,786 (IPEDS, charges for academic year 2024-25); students who received federal aid paid an average net price of $13,381 a year after grants (College Scorecard, a prior cohort). 61% of students finish within the federal tracking window (IPEDS, Graduation Rates 2024 collection: 4-year cohort 2018, 2-year cohort 2021); 44% of students take federal loans, and borrowers leave with a median $19,500 (College Scorecard). By program, the highest graduate earnings four years after finishing are in Nursing (RN), bachelor's ($92,133) and Computer and Information Sciences, bachelor's ($92,068) (College Scorecard, 2017-19 graduates).
Tuition
$11,786
2024-25
Acceptance
88%
Fall 2024 applicants
Students
5,745
Fall 2024
Type
University
Setting
Urban
Cost & Financial Aid
In-State Tuition
$11,786
Out-of-State Tuition
$17,866
Avg On-Campus Living
$14,307
Avg Off-Campus Living
$10,793
Financial Aid & Outcomes
College Scorecard
What will it actually cost?
Sticker price: $26,093
Net price (after aid): $13,381
Most students pay the net price after financial aid, not the sticker price.
Net price by family income
$0 – $30k: $8,793
$30k – $48k: $9,629
$48k – $75k: $9,540
$75k – $110k: $13,658
$110k+: $19,679
Can federal loans cover it? (2026 limits)
At every income level reported here, the average net price is within the $25,500 a first-year dependent student and their parents can borrow from the federal government for loans made from 1 July 2026.
The ceiling is $5,500 in the student’s own Direct Loan plus up to $20,000 in Parent PLUS, which requires that the parent has no adverse credit history. Net prices are averages for a prior cohort of aid recipients, not a quote. Source: Federal Student Aid loan limits. Where this gap is largest.
After graduation
Median earnings (10yr): $60,624
Median debt at graduation: $19,500
Est. monthly loan payment: $207
Earnings-to-debt ratio
Strong · 3.1×Graduates earn about 3.1× their median debt every year.
Financial access
Students on Pell Grants: 30%
Pell Grants are federal aid for students from low-income families.
Students with federal loans: 44%
Share of students who borrowed to pay for school.
Some fields may not be reported by this institution. Verify final details with the school directly.
How does cost line up with outcomes across colleges? See our analysis of college cost vs. graduation and earnings, an association shaped by selectivity and sector, not proof a pricier college pays off.
FAFSA earnings check
: Not flaggedWorcester State University does not trigger the FAFSA's "lower earnings" notice. Its graduates' median earnings four years after completing were $67,284, above the $39,139 median for high school graduates aged 25 to 34 in Massachusetts.
This is one figure for the whole institution, not for any program: earnings differ by credential and field. It covers graduates who completed in 2017-18 and 2018-19, received federal aid, and were working and not enrolled when earnings were measured in 2022 and 2023, in January 2026 dollars. The Department says the notice is informational only: it does not change aid eligibility. Source: U.S. Department of Education, FSA Data Center, March 2026 release. Which colleges are flagged, and what changed.
Student Outcomes
Graduation Rate
61%
Freshman Retention
78%
Source: IPEDS, charges for academic year 2024-25 (provisional release)
Final aid offers, scholarships, and net price vary per family. Always verify with the school's financial aid office.
Scholarships available
Decision support · Cost & value
Quick Decision Highlights
The strongest cost, aid, and value reasons to consider this school.
Out-of-state value
$17.9k below avg
Strong aid for lower incomes
Reported net price for the $0–30k band runs below average.
Strong post-grad earnings
$60.6k above avg
Affordability snapshot
In-state tuition
$11.8k
Out-of-state
$17.9k
below avg
Net price
$13.4k
below avg
Pell
30%
Median debt
$19.5k
below avg
Earnings (10y)
$60.6k
above avg
“Avg” comparisons reference national IPEDS / College Scorecard averages (~2022–23); figures are directional and vary by school and year.
Admissions
Acceptance rate
88%
SAT range
1026 - 1283
ACT range
Institution does not report this
Institution does not report this
Source: IPEDS, applicants for fall 2024 (provisional release)
Actions
Visit WebsiteView AdmissionsApply via Common AppReport incorrect data
Pin this school
Keep it saved while you compare options.
Location
Loading map...
UniversitiesCommunity Colleges1 school
Institution does not report this
Worcester, MA 01602
Academics
Studying online: a substantial share study entirely online
In Fall 2023, 617 of Worcester State University's 5,611 students (11%) were enrolled entirely at a distance. A further 1,666 (30%) took at least one distance course alongside in-person study.
Distance-education figures count STUDENTS enrolled in Fall 2023, not programs on offer. "Exclusively at a distance" means a student took only distance courses that term. A college with few or no such students may still run online courses or an online degree, so a low figure is not evidence that online study is unavailable, and a high one is not a judgement of quality either way.
U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS Fall Enrollment (distance education status), Fall 2023
Fields of study
Worcester State University reported conferring credentials in 38 different fields to the federal government. See which ones, and at what credential level.
Campus & Student Life
Area Safety Rating
Decision support
Similar schools
Worth a closer look if Worcester State University caught your interest.
Fitchburg State University
Fitchburg, MA
Tuition $11,346 87% acceptSame state. Similar tuition. Similar acceptance.Salem State University
Salem, MA
Tuition $12,338 96% acceptSame state. Similar tuition. Similar acceptance.Westfield State University
Westfield, MA
Tuition $12,179 81% acceptSame state. Similar tuition. Similar acceptance.Framingham State University
Framingham, MA
Tuition $11,920 84% acceptSame state. Similar tuition. Similar acceptance.Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
North Adams, MA
Tuition $12,436 90% acceptSame state. Similar tuition. Similar acceptance.Bridgewater State University
Bridgewater, MA
Tuition $11,808 88% acceptSame state. Similar tuition. Similar acceptance.
Graduate earnings by program
What Worcester State University graduates earn, by program
Worcester State University's bachelor's graduates in Psychology earned a median $57,244 four years after graduating, 13% above the $50,706 national median for the same program (2017-19 graduates, measured 2022-23, College Scorecard). One year after graduating, a later class (2018-20 graduates, measured 2020-21) earned a median $38,169; the two figures describe different graduates, not one class's growth. Graduates who borrowed took out a median $19,955 in federal loans at this college (about $212 a month on a 10-year plan), and had $24,394 in total federal debt including other colleges attended (same degree level).
26 programs at Worcester State University have federal earnings or debt figures, largest graduating classes first. Earnings: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, earnings measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Debt: graduates of 2018-19 and 2019-20. The national median is the same measure for every program in that field and credential in the U.S.
| Program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after | National median | Federal debt borrowed at this college (median) | Payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology, Bachelor's | $57,244 | $50,706, +13% | $19,955 | $212/mo |
| Business Administration, Bachelor's | $66,405 | $68,257, −3% | $19,500 | $207/mo |
| Criminal Justice, Bachelor's | $65,588 | $55,378, +18% | $21,050 | $223/mo |
| Biology, Bachelor's | $68,459 | $57,214, +20% | $21,043 | $223/mo |
| Nursing (RN), Bachelor's | $92,133 | $88,910, +4% | $19,500 | $207/mo |
| Teacher Education (by grade level), Master's | $66,285 | $59,916, +11% | — | — |
| Mental Health and Social Services, Bachelor's | $63,505 | $52,119, +22% | $21,000 | $223/mo |
| Teacher Education (by grade level), Bachelor's | $52,337 | $47,382, +10% | $20,297 | $215/mo |
| Communication, Bachelor's | $50,511 | $56,359, −10% | $20,149 | $214/mo |
| Liberal Arts and General Studies, Bachelor's | $55,273 | $53,072, +4% | $17,500 | $186/mo |
| Computer and Information Sciences, Bachelor's | $92,068 | $92,374, about the same | $20,500 | $217/mo |
| Speech-Language and Hearing Sciences, Bachelor's | $58,126 | $58,928, about the same | $20,564 | $218/mo |
Compare what Psychology pays at other colleges
What the job pays locally
- Nursing (RN) graduates train as registered nurses: median $104,550 in Massachusetts.
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: everyone working in the job, every experience level, not only recent graduates.
Show 14 more programs
| Program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after | National median | Federal debt borrowed at this college (median) | Payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sociology, Bachelor's | $47,754 | $52,657, −9% | $22,500 | $239/mo |
| History, Bachelor's | $53,455 | $50,680, +5% | $24,680 | $262/mo |
| Speech-Language and Hearing Sciences, Master's | $62,355 | $67,030, −7% | $21,166 | $241/mo |
| Rehabilitation and Therapy, Master's | $79,966 | $71,416, +12% | — | — |
| Business Administration, Master's | $81,000 | $103,485, −22% | — | — |
| English, Bachelor's | $43,416 | $48,590, −11% | $21,500 | $228/mo |
| Rehabilitation and Therapy, Bachelor's | $74,386 | $55,792, +33% | $25,000 | $265/mo |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other, Bachelor's | $54,245 | $68,245, −21% | $24,938 | $264/mo |
| Biotechnology, Bachelor's | $90,565 | $67,097, +35% | $17,455 | $185/mo |
| Mathematics, Bachelor's | $57,434 | $69,562, −17% | $23,750 | $252/mo |
| Visual and Performing Arts, Bachelor's | $39,037 | $41,688, −6% | — | — |
| Economics, Bachelor's | $62,138 | $82,686, −25% | — | — |
| Urban Studies/Affairs, Bachelor's | $48,387 | $62,532, −23% | — | — |
| Geography and Cartography, Bachelor's | $41,054 | $57,853, −29% | — | — |
Median earnings of graduates who received federal student aid, worked, and were not enrolled in school; debt is the median federal loans borrowed at this college by graduates who borrowed (Direct Subsidized, Unsubsidized and Grad PLUS; not Parent PLUS, private loans or interest). Programs with too few graduates are suppressed by the Department of Education. Monthly payment assumes a standard 10-year plan. Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, field-of-study data, 10 June 2026. Download every program (CSV). Same degree, different paycheck: what the national data show. Over the Cap: graduate programs where typical debt exceeds the federal loan limits in force since July 2026. Nursing graduates vs RN pay by state: the early-career benchmark.
Frequently asked questions
About Worcester State University
Built from CampusPin profile data. Always verify final admissions, cost, financial aid, and program details with the institution before applying. See our data methodology and data dictionary.
- Where is Worcester State University located?
- Worcester State University is located in Worcester, MA, in the United States.
- What type of institution is Worcester State University?
- Worcester State University is a public university based in MA. CampusPin classifies institutions as either four-year universities or two-year community colleges, with control labeled public or private.
- What is the acceptance rate at Worcester State University?
- The most recently reported acceptance rate at Worcester State University is approximately 88% (IPEDS, applicants for fall 2024). Acceptance rate signals selectivity but does not predict any individual applicant's outcome and is not a measure of school quality. CampusPin reports the federally-published value; verify the current cycle with the institution.
- What is the tuition at Worcester State University?
- Worcester State University's published in-state tuition is approximately $11,786 per year (IPEDS, charges for academic year 2024-25). This is the published price before financial aid; the net price most students actually pay is typically lower. Verify the current academic-year tuition with the institution before applying.
- How many students attend Worcester State University?
- Worcester State University reports total enrollment of approximately 5,745 students (undergraduate plus graduate) (IPEDS, fall 2024 enrollment). Total enrollment is a useful sizing signal, see the institutional profile for additional breakdowns when available.
- How much does Worcester State University actually cost after financial aid?
- The average net price at Worcester State University is approximately $13,381 per year. Net price is the total cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships that never have to be repaid, so it is what students actually paid rather than the published sticker price. What families pay varies with income: students from families earning under $30,000 paid about $8,793 on average, and those from families earning $110,000 or more about $19,679. These are averages for students who received federal aid in a prior cohort, not a quote for any individual family. Run the institution's own Net Price Calculator for a figure specific to you.
- What is the graduation rate at Worcester State University?
- Worcester State University reports a graduation rate of approximately 61% (IPEDS, Graduation Rates 2024 collection: 4-year cohort 2018, 2-year cohort 2021). This measures the share of a prior entering cohort who completed their degree within the federal tracking window. It reflects who enrolls as much as what the institution does, so it is not on its own a measure of teaching quality, and it is not comparable across institutions serving very different students.
- How much student debt do graduates of Worcester State University have?
- Students who borrowed at Worcester State University left with a median of approximately $19,500 in federal loans, and about 44% of students took federal loans at all. Both numbers matter: a median describes only the students who borrowed, so it reads very differently at a school where most students borrow than at one where few do. Federal loans only, so private and parent borrowing are not included.
- How much do graduates of Worcester State University earn?
- Median earnings approximately ten years after entry are $60,624 for students who received federal financial aid at Worcester State University. This reflects the mix of programs the institution offers and the students who enroll, not the effect of attending, and it covers aid recipients rather than all graduates.
- How should I verify final details about Worcester State University?
- CampusPin compiles institutional data from public datasets like IPEDS and the College Scorecard, plus institutional websites and editorial review. Before applying, paying a deposit, or making a final decision, confirm admissions requirements, current tuition, financial aid, deadlines, and program details directly with Worcester State University.
- How much do Psychology graduates from Worcester State University earn?
- Worcester State University's bachelor's graduates in Psychology earned a median $57,244 four years after graduating, 13% above the $50,706 national median for the same program (2017-19 graduates, measured 2022-23, College Scorecard). One year after graduating, a later class (2018-20 graduates, measured 2020-21) earned a median $38,169; the two figures describe different graduates, not one class's growth. Graduates who borrowed took out a median $19,955 in federal loans at this college (about $212 a month on a 10-year plan), and had $24,394 in total federal debt including other colleges attended (same degree level).
- How much do Business Administration graduates from Worcester State University earn?
- Worcester State University's bachelor's graduates in Business Administration earned a median $66,405 four years after graduating, 3% below the $68,257 national median for the same program (2017-19 graduates, measured 2022-23, College Scorecard). One year after graduating, a later class (2018-20 graduates, measured 2020-21) earned a median $46,660; the two figures describe different graduates, not one class's growth. Graduates who borrowed took out a median $19,500 in federal loans at this college (about $207 a month on a 10-year plan), and had $22,895 in total federal debt including other colleges attended (same degree level).
- Which programs at Worcester State University have the highest graduate earnings?
- Among the 17 programs at Worcester State University with a federal earnings figure from at least 30 graduates, the highest medians four years after graduating were Nursing (RN), bachelor's ($92,133); Computer and Information Sciences, bachelor's ($92,068); and Business Administration, master's ($81,000) (2017-19 graduates, measured 2022-23, College Scorecard). That order is one federal measure, not a ranking of program quality: earnings reflect the field and where graduates go to work as well as the program.
- Does Worcester State University get a "lower earnings" warning on the FAFSA?
- No. In the Department of Education's March 2026 data, which the FAFSA uses now, Worcester State University's graduates' median earnings four years after completing were $67,284, above the $39,139 median for high school graduates aged 25 to 34 in Massachusetts, so first-year students who list it do not see the lower-earnings notice. The figure describes the whole institution, not any one program.
Fields this college awarded credentials in
The 14 largest of 38 fields Worcester State University reported, by credentials conferred in 2024-25, using the federal classification of each field. The level is the highest credential actually awarded, which is not always the one a field is best known for.
| Field | Awarded | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 193 | Graduate (135 graduate · 58 bachelor's) |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 173 | Graduate (15 graduate · 158 bachelor's) |
| Psychology, General | 120 | Bachelor's |
| Special Education and Teaching | 84 | Graduate |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 74 | Bachelor's |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 65 | Graduate (19 graduate · 46 bachelor's) |
| Public Health | 55 | Bachelor's |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 46 | Graduate |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | 46 | Graduate (32 graduate · 14 bachelor's) |
| Biology, General | 45 | Bachelor's |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | 44 | Graduate (35 graduate · 9 bachelor's) |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 42 | Bachelor's |
| Health Professions Education, Ethics, and Humanities | 42 | Graduate |
| Communication and Media Studies | 35 | Bachelor's |
Fields are as classified in the federal IPEDS completions collection, which records credentials already conferred. A field listed here was awarded in the reporting year; it does not confirm the program is currently admitting students, and a field CampusPin has no guide for is still shown under its official federal title. Confirm current offerings with the institution.
Explore more
Compare colleges side by side. Other colleges in Worcester, MA. All colleges in Massachusetts. Massachusetts college costs by family income. Student debt at Massachusetts colleges. Computer science in Massachusetts. Business in Massachusetts. Nursing in Massachusetts. Psychology in Massachusetts. Engineering in Massachusetts.
Always verify final admissions, cost, financial aid, and program details with Worcester State University before applying.
Data sources & methodology
Reporting period: 2024. Last verified: June 10, 2026.
Facts on this profile of Worcester State University are compiled from federal datasets and the institution's own published information.
Sources used across this page
Not every source informs every figure. Each data point draws on the source appropriate to it see the relevant section and the data dictionary for field-level provenance.
IPEDS / NCES College Navigator
Federal enrollment, admissions, tuition, retention, and program data. Released annually with a 1–2 year lag.
U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard
Net price by income band, post-graduation earnings, and federal aid context.
Clery Act campus security reports
Annual campus security and fire-safety disclosures required of U.S. institutions.
Institutional websites
Each school's official admissions, registrar, and financial-aid pages are the authoritative source for current details.
Where a value is unavailable it is shown as unavailable, never as 0, free, or a negative judgment. Always confirm final details with the institution before applying.
Suggested citation
CampusPin. (2024). Worcester State University, college profile. Retrieved from https://campuspin.com/schools/worcester-state-university
About this information
CampusPin compiles college information from recent publicly available data, including federal and institutional sources. College information can change as institutions and public agencies release new data.
Represent Worcester State University?
Claim your CampusPin institution page to review and manage your profile, and help keep your institution's information current. Verified representatives can update profile details directly; figures published by federal agencies are updated through CampusPin's review process.