Cost of Attendance
The Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of educational expenses for planning purposes. It includes direct educational costs and an estimate of indirect costs for the academic year (fall/spring). These figures do not represent the actual fee bill; they are estimates of what it could cost a student to attend WCSU.
2024-2025 Undergraduate Cost of Attendance (estimate for full-time undergraduate students)
| Expense | Tri-State Rate (CT, NY, NJ) | National Rate (All other US states & territories) | International Rate | |||
| Commuter | Residential | Commuter | Residential | Commuter | Residential | |
| Tuition & Fees | $13,401 | $13,401 | $16,901 | $16,901 | $16,901 | $16,901 |
| Housing & Food | $3,214 | $15,659 | $3,214 | $15,659 | $3,214 | $15,659 |
| Books & Supplies | $1,200 | $1,200 | $1,200 | $1,200 | $1,200 | $1,200 |
| Transportation | $655 | $327 | $655 | $327 | $655 | $327 |
| Loan Fees | $69 | $69 | $69 | $69 | $69 | $69 |
| Personal Expenses | $2,083 | $1,041 | $2,083 | $1,041 | $2,083 | $1,041 |
| TOTAL COA | $20,621 | $31,629 | $24,121 | $35,198 | $24,121 | $35,198 |
In accordance with federal guidelines, we use the following components to develop an estimated COA.
Tuition & Fees: Tuition and fees are established by the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities Board of Regents for Higher Education. WCSU rates and fees schedules (part-time and full-time) can be found on the Cashier’s Office website.
Housing & Food: For residential students, this figure is the cost for a double-occupancy room on the Midtown Campus and designated meal plan. To view specific housing costs, visit the Housing website.
For commuter students, the cost of housing is based on the living expense costs by region and metropolitan area over a nine-month period from the most recent years’ Consumer Expenditure Survey (CES), produced by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Books & Supplies: This is an estimate of the cost of books and supplies for a typical student for the entire academic year. You will not be billed directly by WCSU for books or supplies.
Transportation: This is an estimate of the cost of traveling to and from campus or the cost of operating and maintaining a vehicle.
Personal Expenses: This is an estimate for costs for items such as clothing, entertainment, and personal items. Amount spent on these items will vary from student to student and are not billed to the student.
Several COA budgets are constructed to represent differences in student residency and enrollment status (i.e., less than half-time, half-time, 3/4-time, full-time) for the academic year. The summer term is optional and has a separate COA.
Western Connecticut State University establishes cost of attendance and awarding policies in accordance with federal regulations governing federal student aid programs and from the most recent years’ Consumer Expenditure Survey (CES), produced by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (source: College Board).
Updated: 04/16/2024