Campus of Worcester State University

    Worcester State University

    Worcester, MA, United States

    #19for criminal justice value

    Worcester State University's acceptance rate is 88% (CollegesRef 2026–27 edition, 3,446 applicants). It is a public university in Worcester, MA, with 3,930 students. The average net price after grants is $13,866 a year. The six-year graduation rate is 57.1%, and median earnings ten years after entry are $65,784.

    Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition

    • Public
    • Master's university
    • NCAA Division III
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    Photo: WillJayPA, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Worcester State University acceptance rate

    Acceptance rate: 88% (fall admissions, CollegesRef 2026–27 edition). 3,078 of 3,446 applicants were admitted. Middle 50% test scores: SAT Reading & Writing 533–665, SAT Math 493–618, ACT 23–24. Admissions details

    What we know

    Verified data· U.S. College Scorecard · 2025
    Admit rate
    88%

    Less selective than 71% of colleges

    National median 77.3%

    Avg. net price
    $13,866
    per year, after aid

    Near the national median

    National median $16,403

    Graduation rate
    57.1%
    within six years

    Higher than 67% of colleges

    National median 46%

    Median earnings
    $65,784
    10 years after entry

    Higher than 81% of colleges

    National median $50,155

    Students
    3,930

    Larger than 73% of colleges

    National median 1,603

    Worcester State UniversityMiddle half of collegesNational median
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    Admissions

    Worcester State University admitted 88% of 3,446 applicants.

    Verified data· U.S. College Scorecard · 2025
    1. Applicants3,446

      88% of applicants were admitted

    2. Admitted3,078

      24.4% of admitted students enrolled (yield)

    3. Enrolled (first-year)752
    Bar length is relative to the number of applicants. Enrolled counts first-time, first-year students.

    Middle 50% test scores

    SAT Reading & Writing
    533–665
    200800
    SAT Math
    493–618
    200800
    ACT Composite
    23–24
    136
    The band runs from the 25th to the 75th percentile of first-year students who submitted scores, drawn on each test's full scale.
    Check your chances at Worcester State UniversityFree toolYour SAT or ACT against the middle 50% of admitted students: reach, target or likely.

    Your chances

    Check your chancesYour SAT or ACT against Worcester State University
    SAT, middle 50%
    1026–1283
    ACT, middle 50%
    23–24
    Application deadline timeline

    Cost & financial aid

    Verified data· U.S. College Scorecard · 2025

    Average net price

    $13,866

    What students paid per year on average after grants and scholarships. Your price depends on family income.

    Published price vs. what students paid

    In-state tuition & fees
    $12,344
    Out-of-state tuition & fees
    $18,424
    Average net price
    $13,866
    Tuition is the published yearly price. Average net price is the yearly cost of attendance (tuition, housing, food, books) minus grants and scholarships.

    Students receiving Pell Grants

    Pell Grant recipients
    34.3%
    Share of undergraduates who receive a federal Pell Grant, a common signal of how many students come from lower-income families.
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    Outcomes

    Verified data· U.S. College Scorecard · 2025
    57.1%

    Graduation rate

    First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time

    78.1%

    First-year retention

    Students who return for a second year

    Median earnings

    $65,784

    Former students who received federal aid

    Graduate earnings by major at Worcester State University

    Where Worcester State University ranks

    All rankings by major

    Programs at Worcester State University

    Verified data· U.S. College Scorecard, field of study, 2025

    Bachelor's majors where Worcester State University is ranked in CollegesRef's value rankings. Earnings are medians 4 years after graduating, for graduates who received federal aid; the tick on each bar marks the median of all ranked colleges in that field.

    Criminal justice

    Ranked #19 of 379 for value

    Criminal Justice and Corrections · 84 graduates

    Earnings 4 yrs after
    $65,588
    Ranked-college median: $55,481
    Median debt
    $22,132
    Ranked-college median: $21,500
    Best colleges for criminal justice

    Biology

    Ranked #29 of 680 for value

    Biology, General · 54 graduates

    Earnings 4 yrs after
    $68,459
    Ranked-college median: $58,001
    Median debt
    $16,729
    Ranked-college median: $20,717
    Best colleges for biology

    Psychology

    Ranked #76 of 814 for value

    Psychology, General · 131 graduates

    Earnings 4 yrs after
    $57,244
    Ranked-college median: $51,007
    Median debt
    $19,500
    Ranked-college median: $21,000
    Best colleges for psychology

    Nursing

    Ranked #79 of 686 for value

    Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing · 47 graduates

    Earnings 4 yrs after
    $92,133
    Ranked-college median: $85,171
    Median debt
    $17,846
    Ranked-college median: $20,938
    Best colleges for nursing

    Education

    Ranked #98 of 521 for value

    Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods · 54 graduates

    Earnings 4 yrs after
    $52,337
    Ranked-college median: $48,822
    Median debt
    $20,218
    Ranked-college median: $21,500
    Best colleges for education

    Computer science

    Ranked #244 of 466 for value

    Computer and Information Sciences, General · 28 graduates

    Earnings 4 yrs after
    $92,068
    Ranked-college median: $97,375
    Median debt
    $19,603
    Ranked-college median: $19,500
    Best colleges for computer science

    Business

    Ranked #248 of 986 for value

    Business Administration, Management and Operations · 157 graduates

    Earnings 4 yrs after
    $66,405
    Ranked-college median: $64,860
    Median debt
    $18,600
    Ranked-college median: $21,375
    Best colleges for business

    Communications

    Ranked #252 of 388 for value

    Communication and Media Studies · 53 graduates

    Earnings 4 yrs after
    $50,511
    Ranked-college median: $56,130
    Median debt
    $19,500
    Ranked-college median: $19,593
    Best colleges for communications
    Worcester State University rankings by major, with the score behind each rank

    Explore these programs

    Programs A–Z

    Academics

    Verified data· U.S. College Scorecard · 2025

    Total students

    3,930

    Academic calendar

    Semester

    Carnegie classification

    Master's university

    A College or University that also has a large number of Master’s Degree programs.

    Colleges like Worcester State University

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    Location & details

    Where the campus is, how far it sits from a major city, and other colleges within reach.

    Worcester State UniversityWorcester, MA, United States

    DirectionsOpen in Google Maps OpenStreetMap

    Distances are straight-line miles, not driving distance. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, tiles by OpenFreeMap and OpenMapTiles.

    Campus

    Worcester State University

    Worcester, MA, United States

    • Public
    • Master's university

    Midsize city

    Inside an urbanized area and a principal city.

    1. City (this campus)
    2. Suburb
    3. Town
    4. Rural

    Nearest major cityProvidence, RI · about 38 mi

    In the city250 mi

    Calendar
    Semester
    Website
    worcester.edu

    Colleges nearby

    Colleges in Massachusetts: the state guide

    Still have a question?

    Ask about admissions, cost or campus life at Worcester State University. Answers come from CollegesRef data.

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    Special features

    What sets this college apart, grouped by theme, each with what it means and the data or editorial tag behind it.

    CollegesRef editorial

    Cost & aid

    Affordable

    Lower cost than many comparable colleges for a typical family.

    Average net price $13,866 a year after aid

    Athletics

    NCAA Division III · No athletic scholarships; athletes balance sports and academics.

    1. D-INCAA Division I
    2. D-IINCAA Division II
    3. D-IIINCAA Division III (this college)
    4. NAIANAIA
    5. NJCAANJCAA

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    Admit rate, net price and outcomes for Worcester State University and Fitchburg State University, side by side.

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    Frequently asked questions

    What is the Worcester State University acceptance rate for 2026?

    Worcester State University admitted 88% of 3,446 applicants in the CollegesRef 2026–27 edition, the most recent release. That is the figure colleges report to the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

    How much is Worcester State University tuition?

    In-state tuition at Worcester State University is $12,344 and out-of-state tuition is $18,424 a year before financial aid in the CollegesRef 2026–27 edition. The average net price after grants is $13,866 a year.

    What is the average net price at Worcester State University?

    The average net price at Worcester State University, what first-time, full-time students paid after grants and scholarships, was $13,866 a year in the CollegesRef 2026–27 edition. Your own price depends on family income; the college's net price calculator gives a personal estimate.

    What is the graduation rate at Worcester State University?

    57.1% of first-time, full-time students at Worcester State University graduate within six years (150% of normal time), according to the CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.

    What colleges are similar to Worcester State University?

    The closest matches are Fitchburg State University, Salem State University, and Westfield State University, based on admissions, cost, graduation rate, size, and campus profile.

    Sources

    Last checked Nov 3, 2026

    Admissions
    U.S. College Scorecard · 2025
    Cost
    U.S. College Scorecard · 2025
    Outcomes
    U.S. College Scorecard · 2025
    Enrollment
    U.S. College Scorecard · 2025

    Figures come from federal reporting. Text marked “CollegesRef editorial” is our own summary, and similar-college lists come from CollegesRef matching. How we source data

    Similar colleges

    Colleges like Worcester State University

    CollegesRef matching· similar admissions, cost, and outcomes

    Bars show profile closeness out of 100: how near each college's graduation rate, size, admit rate, net price, Carnegie class, and control are to Worcester State University. The order also uses CollegesRef matching tiers, so a later card can score higher.

    See all matches
    Fitchburg State University logo

    Fitchburg State University

    Fitchburg, MA

    Graduation rate 53%, close to 57%

    Profile closeness92/100

    Salem State University-Massachusetts logo

    Salem State University-Massachusetts

    Salem, MA

    Enrollment 4,291 students, close to 3,930

    Profile closeness89/100

    Westfield State University

    Westfield, MA

    Enrollment 3,615 students, close to 3,930

    Profile closeness88/100

    Bridgewater State University

    Bridgewater, MA

    Graduation rate 52%, close to 57%

    Profile closeness84/100

    Framingham State University logo

    Framingham State University

    Framingham, MA

    Acceptance rate 84%, close to 88%

    Profile closeness83/100

    University of Massachusetts-Lowell

    Lowell, MA

    Acceptance rate 83%, close to 88%

    Profile closeness68/100

    University of Massachusetts-Boston logo

    University of Massachusetts-Boston

    Boston, MA

    Graduation rate 51%, close to 57%

    Profile closeness68/100

    Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts logo

    Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

    North Adams, MA

    Acceptance rate 90%, close to 88%

    Profile closeness61/100

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