Understanding Worcester State University Tuition and Costs
Worcester State University, established in 1874, is a medium-sized public institution located in Worcester, Massachusetts, offering undergraduate degrees in 56 majors. Planning for college expenses is a critical part of the application process. Knowing what a school costs is the first step in managing these costs. This article breaks down the tuition, fees, and financial aid options at Worcester State University to help prospective students and their families understand the true cost of attendance and the potential for financial assistance.
Tuition and Fees: The Sticker Price
Worcester State University's tuition for in-state students is $12,344, while out-of-state students pay $18,424. These figures represent the sticker price, encompassing both tuition and fees. Fees support various campus services such as library access, gym facilities, student centers, technology resources, and health centers. Compared to the national average cost of in-state tuition of $12,436, Worcester State University is slightly cheaper for in-state residents. Similarly, for out-of-state students, the tuition is less than the national average of $29,815.
Total Cost of Attendance
The Cost of Attendance (COA) is the total amount of money the average student has to pay, without any financial aid, to attend a particular school. At Worcester State University, the total cost is $29,083 for in-state students and $35,163 for out-of-state students. This includes tuition and fees, plus the cost of food and housing, books and supplies, transportation, and personal expenses. The Cost of Attendance breakdown differs depending on whether you’re an in-state or out-of-state student, with in-state students benefiting from lower tuition and fees. Because Worcester State University is an out-of-state public institution, out-of-state students would pay $6080 more than in-state students.
Financial Aid: Grants and Scholarships
Financial aid can include grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study jobs. Financial aid packages vary depending on your financial need. Most colleges determine financial need based on your FAFSA. Grants and scholarships are the most desirable forms of financial aid because they don’t have to be paid back.
The amount of money that students actually get is just as important (if not more important) than the percent of students who get grants.
Read also: Tuition at Loyola University Maryland
Altogether, this is bad news - at Worcester State University, FEWER students get aid, and each aid grant is LESS than average. Right away, it seems like Worcester State University offers less institutional aid than other schools. Second, this can also mean that the school just costs less than the typical school of its type.
Financial Aid Statistics
- Students Receiving Financial Aid: 62.85%
- Average Aid Package: $12,687
- Freshmen With Need and Received Financial Aid: 94.71%
- Average Need-Based Scholarship or Grant Award: $10,643
Student Loans: Federal and Private
Aside from grants, the other major way to pay for college is with student loans. The more student loan money you borrow, the more debt you’ll end up with after graduation. Ideally, you want to minimize your student debt as much as possible. It’s generally a bad sign if a school has many students taking out a lot of loans. First, let’s talk about how many students at Worcester State University actually have to take out any student loans at all.
At Worcester State University, 70% of all students take out federal loans. At Worcester State University, the average annual federal loan amount is $5513. At Worcester State University, 11% of students take out private loans. The average private loan amount at Worcester State University is $9959.
The percentage of students getting federal loans is greater than those getting private loans, which is a good sign. High numbers of students with loans is a red flag, and Worcester State University is above average.
Debt at Graduation
- The typical amount of loans a student must pay back: $33,674
- Average Need-Based Loan Amount: $3,164
Net Price: What You'll Actually Pay
The Net Price is the total cost minus the total aid given. In other words, this is the price you have to pay to the school out of pocket. Your net price is a college’s cost of attendance minus the grants and scholarships you receive. The net price you pay for a particular college is specific to you because it’s based on your personal circumstances and the college’s financial aid policies. Use the college’s Net Price calculator for the most accurate estimate of your net price.
Read also: Affording ECU
- Average Net Price: $14,435 per year
Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
The US government has come up with a standardized way to calculate how much a typical family can afford to pay without help. Colleges use this number as a guideline to decide how much aid to give you, but it's just a guideline. If the Net Price is higher than the EFC, the school will cost more than you can typically afford.
Value of Worcester State University
As a regional school, Worcester State University may not be a household name nationwide, but it's known to people in the local area as a solid school. Compared to some other regional schools, Worcester State University didn't appear on our best value lists. This might be because the net price is higher than for other schools of similar reputation. This isn't the end of the world - you can likely still afford Worcester State University by taking out loans, earning scholarships, or working part-time. Overall, Worcester State University is a decent value, and going to college here will likely pay off over time.
Additional Information
Housing and Meal Plans
- Damage Deposit ($100) is required for on-campus housing.
- Is on-campus housing available?
- Is on-campus living required?
- Are meal plans available on campus?
- Is a meal plan purchase required for on-campus, non-apartment residence halls?
Admission
- This campus accepts most (75%+) applicants.
- SAT/ACT scores are considered but not required to apply.
Withdrawal Policy
A student may withdraw from a course in accordance with the deadline published in the program’s academic calendar. Choosing to withdraw is a serious matter which may affect a student’s class standing, full-time status, financial aid, etc. A student considering such a step should seek advice from the instructor or the faculty advisor. Mere non-attendance at class does not constitute official withdrawal and may result in a failing grade.In cases of academic dishonesty, the W grade may be reversed.All “W” grades are permanently recorded on the student’s transcript. A student who withdraws from all courses will be considered withdrawn from Worcester State University, and must file a formal intent to withdraw with the graduate school.Students who receive any form of financial aid or veterans educational benefits should consult with the respective office prior to dropping or withdrawing from a course. Reducing credit hour load may adversely affect eligibility to receive financial aid or veterans educational benefits.
Other Fees
- Sticker Price
- In-State Tuition$970 per year
- Out-of-State Tuition$7,050 per year
- Books and Supplies$1,200 per year
- Personal Expenses$1,200 per year
- Transportation$686 per year
Financial Aid Dates
- Application DueMay 1
- The last day to apply for financial aid or turn in related paperwork.
- Priority Application DueNot available
- Applications received prior to this date will be given the strongest consideration. Still apply for financial aid if you don’t make this due date.
- Notification DateNot available
- When students receive a letter with the amount and types of aid the college is offering.
- Response DueNot available
- The deadline for students to respond to the college’s aid offer.
Read also: Withdrawals for College: A Guide
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