Understanding Westfield State University Tuition, Room, and Board Costs
Westfield State University is dedicated to offering a high-quality education at an accessible price. This article provides a breakdown of the tuition, fees, and other associated costs for attending Westfield State University, helping prospective and current students understand the financial aspects of their education. It covers tuition rates, mandatory fees, room and board expenses, and refund policies.
Cost of Attendance: A Comprehensive Overview
Cost of Attendance budgets are utilized to help determine a student’s financial need and provide a reasonable estimate of their total costs for one year of attendance. The Cost of Attendance includes direct costs and indirect costs. It's important to note that the Cost of Attendance differs from billed costs. Tuition and Fees are direct costs billed to all students. Indirect costs for Housing, Books/Supplies, Transportation, and Miscellaneous expenses are estimated and are included to help determine your eligibility for financial aid.
Undergraduate Costs for 2025-2026 Academic Year
The following is a breakdown of the undergraduate costs for the 2025-2026 academic year:
| Category | MA Resident | Non-Resident | New England Regional* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $970 | $7,050 | $1,455 |
| General Fee | $10,654 | $10,654 | $10,654 |
| Technology Fee | $730 | $730 | $730 |
| Capital Improvement Fee | $100 | $100 | $100 |
| Student Activity Fee | $162 | $162 | $162 |
| Total Fees | $11,646 | $11,646 | $11,646 |
| Total Tuition & Fees | $12,616 | $18,696 | $13,101 |
*New England Regional rate is determined by the New England Board of Higher Education. To qualify for the New England Regional rate, students must enroll in an approved program or live in an approved zip code. Details on qualifying majors or zip codes.
Additional Fees
Besides tuition and general fees, students may encounter other fees depending on their program of study and activities. These include:
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- First Year Student Fee: $160
- Nursing Fee: $1,794
- Student Teaching Fee: $250
- Art Fee: $40
- Health Insurance: $4,721 (Students who have their own insurance plan must waive the insurance fee.)
- Parking: $100
- New ID Card Fee: $20
- Replacement ID Card Fee: $40
- Lifetime Owls: $75
- International Student Program Fee: $250/semester (J-1 Visa), $500/semester (F-1 Visa)
- Practical Exam, Equipment, and Clinical Fee: $240
- Study Abroad Fee: $50
- Late Fee: $100
- Reinstatement Fee: $50
- Select courses and programs may incur additional fees. For a complete list of fees, please visit the University Catalog.
Room and Board
All resident students are required to have a meal plan. Residence hall and dining plan costs can be viewed on the university's website.
Tuition Cost Comparison
Westfield State University's tuition is $12,179 for in-state and $18,259 for out-of-state students. This cost includes both tuition and fees, often referred to as the sticker price.
- In-state Tuition: Compared with the national average cost of in-state tuition of $12,436, Westfield State University is cheaper.
- Out-of-state Tuition: For students coming from out of state, the tuition is cheaper than the national average cost of out-of-state tuition of $29,815.
Total Cost of Attendance
As you’re comparing costs of different institutions, also consider the total cost and the net price. The total cost is the sticker price, plus the cost of food and housing, books and supplies, and transportation and personal expenses. At Westfield State University, the total cost is $30,778 for in-state students and $36,858 for out-of-state students.
Special Tuition Considerations
- Tuition for Seniors: Tuition is free for persons 60 years of age and over who are Massachusetts residents. Admission is granted on a space-available basis.
- Military Tuition Assistance (TA) Students:
- MA Resident Tuition Cost per Credit: $32.33
- Non-Resident Tuition Cost per Credit: $235.00
- Veterans: For courses, semesters, or terms beginning after August 1, 2021, public institutions of higher education must charge qualifying veterans, dependents, and eligible individuals tuition and fees at the rate for in-state residents.
Refund Policy
Commitments to faculty, staff, and other costs of operation are made by the university in advance of the school year. To be eligible for a refund, a student must withdraw formally from the university (please see the Withdrawal policy for information on how to do so). At that point, the date of withdrawal for refund purposes is determined. This date will be used by the Office of Student Accounts to determine the amount of refund for tuition, mandatory fees, room, and board. When a student withdraws before 60% of the semester has been completed (typically the ninth week of classes), the university is required under federal statute, to refund federal and/or state financial aid funds on a pro-rated basis. The calculation is based on the amount of time the student was enrolled in the semester. Funds are returned to the federal and/or state source as follows: Federal Direct Loans, Perkins Loans, Plus Loans. Once loans are satisfied, remaining unearned funds are distributed to Pell Grant, then to SEOG, and then to other Title IV funds requiring a refund. This policy is in accordance with the 1998 Financial Aid Re-authorization Act. It will be reviewed annually by the Vice President of Finance and the Board of Trustees.
Specific Refund Details
- There will be no refunds on the following after classes begin: Student Teaching Fee, Late Registration Fee, Late Payment Fee, Bad Check Fee, Student Insurance Fee, Hall Activity Funds, Fitness Center Fee, and Installment Plan fee.
- Withdraw and Refund Schedule for Fall and Spring (Full Term Courses):(excludes the PA program)
- Prior to the first day of the semester*100%None
- During the published Add/Drop period**100%None
- After published add/drop periodNo refund.W
- Failure to WithdrawNo refund.F*There are no refunds on the $75 non-refundable registration fee.**After the semester begins, there is no refund on the following fees: non-refundable registration fee, educational service fee, late payment fee, late registration fee, installment payment plan fee, student identification fee.
- Course Withdraw and Refund Schedule for accelerated Fall/Spring and Summer Sessions:
- Prior to the first day of the semester*100%None
- During the first five (5) business days of the semester100% on tuition only. Allfees are non-refundable.W
- After the first five (5) business days of the semesterNo refund.W
- Failure to WithdrawNo refundF*There are no refunds on the $75 non-refundable registration fee.
- Course Withdraw and Refund Schedule for accelerated Winter Session:
- Prior to the first day of the semester*100%None
- After the semester beginsNo refundW
- Failure to WithdrawNo refund.F*There are no refunds on the $75 non-refundable registration fee.
Important Information Regarding Withdrawals
Refunds, if any, are based on the date and time of receipt of a student’s withdrawal, regardless of registration date or attendance. All students who wish to withdraw from a course or courses must do so in writing. It is the student’s responsibility to withdraw from courses or a “Failure to Withdraw” grade of “F” will result. Nonpayment or non-attendance is not a withdraw.
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Students may drop a course without notation on their academic record during the published add/drop period. A withdrawal after the published add/drop period requires the student to obtain the signature of the faculty member, undergraduates require their advisor signature too. A “Course Withdrawal Form” is available by contacting the Registrar’s Office and must be submitted within the published withdrawal dates as outlined in the academic calendar. Winter and Summer sessions do not have an Add/Drop period due to the accelerated format.
Choosing to withdraw is a serious matter which may adversely affect a student’s status, financial aid, veteran benefits, and degree progress. Students should consult with their course instructor, advisor, and/or respective office prior to dropping or withdrawing from a course.
Physician Assistant Program Withdrawal and Refund
A student wishing to withdraw voluntarily from the University must confer first with the PA Program Director. Refunds of tuition and instructional fees, if any, are made on the basis of the date and time of receipt of a student’s withdrawal. Non-payment does not result in withdrawal from the University. Students who officially withdraw from the University after the first day of the semester will receive a designation of ‘W’ on their transcript.
- Withdrawals prior to the first day of the semester, students are responsible for $75 (Registration Fee).
- Withdrawals during the first two weeks of the semester, 80% refund.**
- Withdrawals during the third week of the semester, 60% refund.
- Withdrawals during the fourth week of the semester, 40% refund.
- Withdrawals during the fifth week of the semester, 20% refund.
- Withdrawals after the fifth week of the semester, no refund.**
- After the semester starts, but before the first class meeting, no refund on the $75 Registration Fee and the $75 Educational Service Fee.
- In addition, there will be no refunds made on the following fees after the semester begins: Late Payment Fee, Delayed Payment Fee, Student Identification Fee.
Financial Obligations and Assistance
The university expects that all bills will be satisfied by the due date as stated on the bill. Bills not satisfied by the due date will be assessed a late payment fee of $100.00. The university reserves the right to assign delinquent accounts to a collection agency. Failure to meet these requirements will result in administrative withdrawal from the university.
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Veteran Education Benefits
Westfield State University adheres to the requirements of, and complies with, S2248 PL 115-407, Section 103. All students using Chapter 31 Veteran Readiness and Employment are required to ensure Veteran & Military Services has received the Tungsten authorization from their Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor by the first day of classes. Students using Chapter 33 VA education benefits are required to submit their Certificate of Eligibility or Statement of Benefits by the first day of classes. Students using National Guard or VA Education Benefits are required to submit a written request to confirm they want to use benefits each semester.
A veteran using educational assistance under either Chapter 30 (Montgomery G.I. Bill® - Active Duty Program), Chapter 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation) or Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 G.I. Anyone using transferred Post-9/11 G.I. Anyone described above while he or she remains continuously enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, semesters, or terms) at the same institution.
Payment for Continuing Education Students
Continuing Education students are expected to pay their bills at the time that they register for classes, unless an alternate payment plan has been agreed upon at that time.
Academic Information
Westfield State University is a medium, public institution located in Westfield, MA. Westfield State University offers undergraduate degrees in 73 majors. Westfield State University is known for one of its top majors: Business/Commerce, General.
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