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Worcester State University (WSU)

Black Pinpoint 486 Chandler Street | Worcester, MA | 01602-2597

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01. Overview

What the school is known for:

Worcester State is an “extremely welcoming and open-minded” institution that quickly “feels like home” to its undergraduates. Much of that can be accredited to professors who “truly care about student learning.” While some allow that faculty can be “hit or miss,” the majority of comments describe teachers as “amazing,” “understanding,” and “wonderful resources.” With true “passion for what they do as well as a lot of knowledge of what they’re teaching,” the faculty truly “bring the material to life” and are “willing to assist above and beyond what is needed.” Add “unique, authentic, and very original” professors to a school with “very affordable” tuition and you’ve got “a fantastic academic experience” that will “challenge and lead you to think outside the box.”

02. Rankings

Rankings and Lists

Ribbon icon

Best Northeast
Ribbon icon

Green Colleges
Ribbon icon

The Best 389 Colleges

03. Admissions & Acceptance Rate

Applicants Icon
Applicants
4,745
Acceptance Icon
Acceptance Rate
90%
GPA Icon
Average HS GPA
3.40

Deadlines

Early Action
November 15
Regular
May 1

SAT & ACT Test Scores

SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing

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25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
510 - 620

SAT Math

Calendar Icon
25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
502 - 600

SAT Composite Scores

Calendar Icon
25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
1040 - 1130

ACT Composite Scores

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25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
23 - 29

What would you score on the digital SAT today?

Take an SAT Practice Test

Testing Policies

Superscore ACT
No
Superscore SAT
No
Standardized testing policy for
use in admission:
Test Optional

Other Admission Factors Academic

Admission Factors Icon
Rigor of Secondary School Record
Admission Factors Icon
Academic GPA

Selectivity

Admissions selectivity rating
81/99

4. Cost, Tuition, Expenses

Expenses per Academic Year

Tuition / Fees Vary by Year of Study
No
Approximate Expenses per year
$0

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05. Academics

Student Faculty Icon
Student/Faculty
15 : 1
Acceptance Icon
Total Faculty
442
Terminal Degree Icon
Terminal Degree
252

Gender

Women
262
Men
180
Minority
88
International
0

Class/Lab sizes

Most frequent class size
10-19
Most frequent lab/sub section size
10-19

Rating

Professors
interesting rating
76/99
Professors
accesible rating
70/99
Academic rating
73/99

Graduation Rates

Graduate in 4 years
47%
Graduate in 5 years
56%
Graduate in 6 years
59%

University Degrees

Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Bachelor's certificate
Post-Master's certificate

Prominent Alumni

Dr. Imoigele Aisiku, '92

Renowned Neurosurgeon

Kevin T. Campbell, '73

Lieutenant General , U.S. Army

John L. Dufresne

Novelist

Ronald L. Herrick

Donor in the first successful organ transplant

Dr. Kristen Lee, Ed.D., LICSW, '96

Behavioral scientist, professor, clinician, and author

Brian J. Skerry

Internationally acclaimed photographer

Geoffrey H. Zakarian

Restauranteur, Entrepreneur, Chef-extraordinaire, television personality

06. Student Body

What students say:

Worcester’s student body is “small enough so you can get to know many of the students.” And while the student body may primarily be “made up of commuters,” you’ll definitely encounter undergrads “from all walks of life” who are “very open and accepting.” It’s not rare to find “some who have dropped out of more prestigious institutions and others who are giving schooling a second shot.” Regardless, the school “has a very diverse student body, and no matter their situation, students describe their peers as “hard working” and “eager to better themselves and their communities.” They “have a drive to succeed and are always there to help anyone do well as a team.” Even better, “there is a strong sense of belonging and kindness that comes from the student body.” The overall vibe from the school comes from the small things: “Whether it be as simple as holding a door open or as complex as tutoring a classmate there is a feeling of ‘we’re in this together.’”

Gender

60% female40% male

Out of State

4% are out
of state96% are
in-state

Students

71% are
full time29% are
part time

Student Body Profile

Total Undergraduate Enrollment
4,734
Foreign Countries Represented
27

Student Body Demographics

American Indian or Alaskan Native
0.28%
Asian
5.60%
Black
8.78%
Hispanic
17.89%
Caucasian
60.89%
Unknown
2.07%
International
1.51%

07. Mental Health

Wellness Program/Clinical Offerings

Institution has a mental health/wellness program that makes counseling, referral, and well-being services available to all students
Yes
Mental Health Website
https://www.worcester.edu/campus-life/counseling-services/

Education & Training

Types of training available for students and faculty/staff
Program
Availability
Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR)
Not Reported
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
Not Reported
SafeTALK
Not Reported
Mental Health First Aid
Not Reported
Talk Saves Lives
Not Reported
Other:
Available for all students;
Available for faculty & staff;
Other trainings description:
First year students are required to complete online Mental Health and Wellbeing module from Vector Solutions. We also offer 3 cohorts of Student Support network(peer Training) to all students. Faculty/Staff have available Recognize Respond Refer created by Counseling center staff

Engaging the Whole Campus

Institution has a Chief Behavioral Health Officer (and/or Chief Wellness Officer)
Yes
Clinicians are trained to provide care to these specific groups:
Undergraduates
Graduate students
Racial/ethnic minority student
Students who are veterans
LGBTQIA+ students
Student-athletes
International students
Students on scholarship or financial aid
First-generation students
Please provide details on specific trainings:
All clinical staff are fully licensed thus required to completed trainings to retain licensure. List of trainings is extensive. Senior staff members have 9+ years of clinical work with in the higher education setting.

Peer-to-Peer

Institution has peer-to-peer offerings relating to mental health
Yes
Details on offerings:
Mental Health- Student Support Network(SSN) Trainings are offered in the spring semester to all students who may be intereseted. SSN is a 6 week peer mental health and substance use training facilitated by counseling services staff .We have also offered this training utilizing a cohort model- Health professionals,LGBTQ+, ALANA/BIPOC etc.

Residential Life

Institution incorporates mental health and wellness into the residential experience
Yes
A brief description of offerings:
Residence life collaborates with Counseling Services via cosponsorship with programming. RA's create mental health and wellbeing bulletin boards and facilitate social programming events. Residence life staff have a large presense at our Annual Fresh Check Day event.

Student Orientation

Students who are provided an opportunity to participate in mental-health-orientation activities
First-year students
Services offered
Incoming transfer students
Services offered
else {
Not Reported
}
Returning students
Services offered
Entering graduate students
Services offered

Mental Health in the Curriculum

The institution offers for-credit mental health/well-being education for students
No plans for such offerings
The institution offers non-credit mental health/well-being education for students
Yes, optional
Details of non-credit offering:
The counseling services department has a robust out reach component to our service. We have a dedicated outreach manager who coordinates these efforts. This includes, speakers, our mental health newsletter, social media campaigns, programming with our therapeutic assistance animal.

Off-Campus Offerings

Institution offers referrals to off-campus counseling services
Yes

Health and Counseling Center Accreditation

Institution's counseling center is accredited
No
Accrediting body
Not Reported
Other
While we have not used acceditdation standards we just completed our 4 year program with JED and are utuilizing many of their recommendations and best practices

Taking and Returning from Medical Leave

Institution has an official support program in place for students returning from mental health leave of absence
No

Counseling Demand

Number of months a year counseling center is open and fully staffed
12 months

08. Campus Life

What students say:

Because the students at WSU are “typically driven by their studies, [they] spend a good amount of time on academics.” But they also set aside plenty of time for fun. For starters, “there are always things happening in the student center if you want an organized activity,” some of which include cake decorating contests, karaoke, and paint nights. It’s also common for undergrads to participate in the “group exercise classes offered multiple times a day.” Outside of structured options, many students enjoy going to the gym or even just “down to the turf [to get] a couple miles in.” Speaking to the quality of on-campus dorms, one student notes that many “spend their time doing the exact same thing: enjoying free time with friends in their suites, just relaxing after a long day of classes.” Finally, when the weekend rolls around, “students throw parties [on] campus or they go out with friends or take trips to Boston.”

Fire safety rating
91%
Quality of life
79%
Students
33%
First-Year Students
54%
Campus Environment
Small Urban
Help finding off-campus housing
Yes

Most Popular Places On Campus

Wellness Center

Student Center

Science & Technology Building

Learning Resource Center

Sheehan Hall Dining Hall

Most Popular Places Off Campus

The Worcester Art Museum, the second largest museum in New England, showcases 5,000 years of creativity from such masters as El Greco, Monet, Rembrandt, Picasso, Van Gogh, and Gauguin.

The EcoTarium, Worcester?s science and nature center, hosts more than a 100,000 visitors annually.

Worcester has 53 parks, including Elm Park, designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, and the largest urban nature sanctuary in New England.

The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, located in downtown, hosts musicals, dance performances, comedy, children?s shows, and a wide range of live music performers?from original acts to nationally recognized cover bands.

The DCU Center, also located in downtown, is your destination for national and international musical acts, popular events like World Wrestling Entertainment matches and Cirque du Soleil performances, and a variety of trade shows and conferences. We hold our undergraduate commencement there.

9. Campus Visits

Campus Visits Contact

Christopher Dooley
Assistant Director of Admissions
Location Icon
Admissions Office 486 Chandler Street Worcester, MA 01602
Phone icon
508-929-8040

Campus Tours

Campus Visiting Center

Monday through Friday

Calendar icon
8:15am - 4:30pm
Phone icon
508-929-8040

Campus Tours

Appointment Required:
Yes
Dates:
Year-round
Times:
Monday through Friday at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m
Average Length:
1 hour

Visits

CLASS VISITS

Dates/Times Available
Academic Year
Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

FACULTY AND COACH VISITS

Dates/Times Available
Academic Year
Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

Contact Email Address for Visit

Individual coach email addresses available on staff directory page located below;

Globe Icon admissions@worcester.edu

On Campus Interview

Campus Interviews:
No
Information Sessions:
Not Available

Overnight Dorm Stays

Overnight Dorm Stays
Not Available

Campus Tours


TYPES OF TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE TO CAMPUS

Public transportation (buses, taxis, shuttle bus etc.). Closest airport is Boston Logan International Airport which is approximately 50 miles from campus.


DRIVING INSTRUCTIONS TO CAMPUS

From Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90): Take Exit 10 (Auburn) to Rt. 290 East. (see from 290 East) From Rt. 495: Take Exit 25 to Rt. 290 West. (see from 290 West) From Rt. 9 West: Follow Rt. 9 West into Worcester. (see from Highland St.) From Rt. 146 North: Take Rt. 146 North to Rt. 290 East. (see from 290 East) From Rt. 190 South: Take Rt. 290 West. (see from 290 West) From Rt. 290 West: Take Exit 18 (Rt. 9 West); turn right off exit ramp and stay in center lane, following directions for Rt. 9 West. Turn right onto Rt. 9 West, also known as Highland Street. (see from Highland St.) From Rt. 290 East: Take Exit 17 (Rt. 9). Turn left onto Rt. 9 West which will turn into Highland Street at bottom of the hill. Proceed up the hill onto Highland Street. (see from Highland St.) From Highland Street: While on Highland Street, stay in the right hand lane. Stay on Highland Street for 1.5 miles. (you'll pass Elm Park and Doherty High School on the left.) At the rotary, bear left onto June Street. (Pizza establishment on corner) At the second light, turn right onto May Street. The main entrance to the College will be three blocks up on your left.

LOCAL ACCOMMODATIONS

Beechwood Hotel, Worcester ($$$) Comfort Inn, Auburn ($) Courtyard Marriot, Worcester ($$) Fairfield Inn & Suites, Auburn ($$) Hilton Garden Inn, Worcester ($$$) Holiday Inn, Worcester ($$) La Quinta Inn, Auburn ($$) Quality Inn & Suites, Worcester ($$) Residence Inn, Worcester ($$)


10. Sports & Athletics

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Athletic Division III

Participate in intramural sports
13%
Participate in intercollegiate sports
10%

Men's Sports (Lancers)

Icon
Basketball
Icon
Cross Country
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Football
Icon
Golf
Icon
Soccer
Icon
Track Field Indoor
Icon
Track Field Outdoor

Women's Sports (Lancers)

Icon
Basketball
Icon
Cross Country
Icon
Golf
Icon
Lacrosse
Icon
Soccer
Icon
Softball
Icon
Track Field Indoor
Icon
Track Field Outdoor
Icon
Volleyball

11. Housing & Activities

Hosting Features

Icon
Apartment Single
Icon
Disabled Student
Icon
Dorms Coed
Icon
Theme Housing

Special Needs Admissions

Director
Frances Manocchio
College Entrance Tests Required
No
Interview Required
No

Student Activities

Registered Student Organizations
45
Number of Honor Societies
21
Number of Social Sororities
0
Number of Religious Organizations
5

12. Student Services

Health
Minority Support Groups
LGBT Support Groups

Military

Army ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Navy ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: College of the Holy Cross
Air Force ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Sustainability

School Has Formal Sustainability Committee
Yes
Sustainability-focused degree available
Yes
School employs a sustainability officer
Yes
Public GHG inventory plan
Yes

Green rating

94%

Food budget spent on local/organic food

80%

Available Transportation Alternatives

Bike Share
Checkmark icon
Car Sharing Program
X Mark icon
Incentives Or Programs To Encourage Employees To Live Close To Campus
X Mark icon
School Adopted A Policy Prohibiting Idling
Checkmark icon
School Developed Bicycle Plan
Checkmark icon

CAMPUS SECURITY REPORT

The Jeanne Clery Act requires colleges and universities to disclose their security policies, keep a public crime log, publish an annual crime report and provide timely warnings to students and campus employees about a crime posing an immediate or ongoing threat to students and campus employees.

Please visit The Princeton Review's page on campus safety for additional resources:

Visit Page
Warning Icon

The Princeton Review publishes links directly to each school's Campus Security Reports where available. Applicants can also access all school-specific campus safety information using the Campus Safety and Security Data Analysis Cutting Tool provided by the Office of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education: https://ope.ed.gov/campussafety/#/

Other Information

Campus-wide Internet Network
Checkmark icon
Fee for Network Use
X Mark icon
Personal computer included in tuition for each student
X Mark icon
Discounts Available with Hardware Vendors
Checkmark icon
Description Dell and Apple

13. Financial Aid

Financial Aid Rating

84%

Dates

Icon
Application DeadlinesMay 1
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Notification DateDec 15

Required Forms

FAFSA

Financial Aid Statistics

Average Freshman Total Need-Based Gift Aid
$8,817
Average Undergraduate Total Need-Based Gift Aid
$8,359
Average Need-Based Loan
$3,504
Undergraduates who have borrowed through any loan program
73%
Average amount of loan debt per graduate
$33,714
Average amount of each freshman scholarship/grant package
$9,128
Financial aid provided to international students
Yes

Available Aid

Financial Aid Methodology
Scholarships and Grants

Need-Based Aid

01 - Need-Based College/University Scholarship or Grant Aid from Institutional Funds
02 - Need-Based Federal Pell
03 - Need-Based Private Scholarships
04 - Need-Based SEOG
05 - Need-Based State Scholarships

Federal Direct Student Loan Programs

01 - Direct PLUS Loans
02 - Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans
03 - Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans

Federal Family Education Loan Programs (FFEL):

01 - State Loans
Is Institutional Employment Available (other than Federal Work Study)
Yes

14. Career Services & Jobs

Graduation Rates

Graduate in 4 years
47%
Graduate in 5 years
56%
Graduate in 6 years
59%

Career Services

01 - Alumni Network
02 - Alumni Services
03 - Classes
04 - Interest Inventory
05 - Internships
06 - Regional Alumni

Opportunities at School

01 - Experiential
02 - Internship

15. Majors

Down Arrow Icon

01 BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES.
  • Biology/Biological Sciences, General.
  • Biotechnology.
Down Arrow Icon

02 BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND RELATED SUPPORT SERVICES.
  • Business Administration and Management, General.
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03 COMMUNICATION, JOURNALISM, AND RELATED PROGRAMS.
  • Mass Communication/Media Studies.
Down Arrow Icon

04 COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES.
  • Computer and Information Sciences, General.
Down Arrow Icon

05 EDUCATION.
  • Early Childhood Education and Teaching.
  • Education, General.
  • Elementary Education and Teaching.
Down Arrow Icon

06 ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS.
  • English Language and Literature, General.
Down Arrow Icon

07 FOREIGN LANGUAGES, LITERATURES, AND LINGUISTICS.
  • Spanish Language and Literature.
Down Arrow Icon

08 HEALTH PROFESSIONS AND RELATED PROGRAMS.
  • Adult Health Nurse/Nursing.
  • Communication Sciences and Disorders, General.
  • Community Health Services/Liaison/Counseling.
  • Occupational Therapy/Therapist.
  • Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse.
Down Arrow Icon

09 HISTORY.
  • History, General.
Down Arrow Icon

10 HOMELAND SECURITY, LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIREFIGHTING AND RELATED PROTECTIVE SERVICES.
  • Criminal Justice/Safety Studies.
Down Arrow Icon

11 LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES, GENERAL STUDIES AND HUMANITIES.
  • General Studies.
Down Arrow Icon

12 MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS.
  • Mathematics, General.
Down Arrow Icon

13 NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION.
  • Environmental Science.
Down Arrow Icon

14 PHYSICAL SCIENCES.
  • Chemistry, General.
Down Arrow Icon

15 PSYCHOLOGY.
  • Psychology, General.
Down Arrow Icon

16 SOCIAL SCIENCES.
  • Economics, General.
  • Geography.
  • Political Science and Government, General.
  • Sociology.
  • Urban Studies/Affairs.
Down Arrow Icon

17 VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS.
  • Visual and Performing Arts, General.

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Sat-Sun 9AM-8PM ET

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Sat-Sun 8:30AM-5PM ET

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