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Westfield State University — ROI, Cost & Payback

Public · Westfield, MA · 3,615 students

The verdict

Westfield State University charges a net price of $16,721/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $66,884. Graduates earn a median $57,346 ten years after entry, $8,986/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 7.4 years — a 20-year net return of $112,836, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Westfield State University's 7.4-year payback ranks #654 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 49% of them, and #38 of 85 in Massachusetts.

Better ROI than 49% of US colleges#654 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$16,721
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$57,346
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
7.4 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
81%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
Westfield State University: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$16,721/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$66,884our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$57,346Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$8,986/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$22,457Scorecard, 2026
Payback7.4 yrsour math
20-year net return$112,836our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

The arithmetic, on Westfield State University's own numbers. Net price $16,721 × 4 years = $66,884 total. Median earnings $57,346 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $8,986 a year of premium. $66,884 ÷ $8,986 = 7.4 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $112,836. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.

How much debt do Westfield State University students graduate with?

A median $22,457 in federal loans among completers, or 39% of the $57,346 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.

What share of Westfield State University students graduate?

54% finish their degree — 46% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $66,884 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $123,859 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.

Is Westfield State University expensive compared with other Massachusetts colleges?

Its $16,721 net price runs $8,162 below the $24,883 median across the 85 Massachusetts colleges we profile, and $32,648 less across the full degree.

Westfield State University: frequently asked questions

Is Westfield State University worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. Westfield State University charges $16,721/yr after aid ($66,884 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $57,346 ten years out — $8,986/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 7.4 years and returns $112,836 net over 20 years, a solid payback.
How long does a Westfield State University degree take to pay off?
About 7.4 years. We divide the $66,884 four-year net cost by the $8,986/yr earnings premium over the high-school baseline. It is a floor, not a ceiling — mid-career raises pay it back faster.
How much does Westfield State University cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $16,721/yr — about $66,884 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does Westfield State University compare to other Massachusetts colleges?
It ranks #38 of 85 Massachusetts colleges we track by payback. Its $57,346 median earnings beat the national median of $43,549, and its $16,721 net price is below the national median of $16,902.