Media:
Photos, Stories, Key Facts

Media Relations

Members of the media should direct all inquiries about Worcester State College, including those about the Opportunity for a Lifetime campaign, to Lea Ann Erickson, Director of Public Relations and Marketing, at 508-929-8018 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

A Brief History of Worcester State College

Worcester State College was founded as the Worcester Normal School in 1874, the fifth state-funded normal school in Massachusetts and one of dozens of teacher-training schools established during the 19th century. In 1932, all of the state’s normal schools were re-christened "teachers colleges" and the old Normal School became Worcester State Teachers College. That same year, the College moved to its present location on Chandler Street. By 1963, the former teachers college had evolved into a liberal arts and sciences college. The Board of Education that year voted to drop the word “teachers” from the College’s name. Despite many changes over its long history, the College’s mission remains the same as it was in 1874: to enrich the lives of its students and strengthen communities through the benefits of accessible, quality higher education.

Key Facts about Worcester State College

Annual Revenue (FY2007)

State Appropriations: 43%
Student Tuition & Fees: 42%
Grants, Contracts & Auxiliary Enterprises: 13%
All Other Sources: 2%

Worcester State Foundation Activity (FY2007)

Endowment: $12.3 million
Total Amount Raised: $1.6 million
Total Amount Distributed: $847,965
Scholarships & Awards: $434,721
Equipment: $157,235
Programs: $202,651
Support of Faculty: $53,358
Undergraduate & Graduate Alumni Support: 19.5%
Corporation Support: 45.6%
Foundation Support: 25.5%
Friends of WSC: 9.2%

Student Enrollment (Fall 2007)

Undergraduate (full-time): 3,342
Undergraduate (part-time): 1,260
Graduate (full-time): 103
Graduate (part-time): 653
Total: 5,358

Student Characteristics

Women (undergraduate): 59%
Men (undergraduate): 41%
Residential students: 30%
Average age (undergraduate): 24
Average High School GPA: 3.00
Average SAT score: 1010

Cost of Attendance

Undergraduate tuition: $970
Undergraduate fees: $4,894
Room and board (avg.): $7,958

Financial Aid (2006-2007)

Students receiving financial aid: 2,758
Average size of award: $7,764
Students with WSC scholarships: 1,105

Class Size/Faculty

Faculty to student ratio: 1:15
Average undergraduate class size: 19
Full-time faculty: 188
Part-time faculty (day): 133
Part-time continuing ed. faculty: 98

Academic Programs

Undergraduate majors: 24
Undergraduate minors: 27
Graduate programs: 21
Study Abroad programs: 44

Largest Major (1st major only)

Business Administration: 824
Psychology: 440
Criminal Justice: 293
Communication: 258
Nursing: 250

Student Life

Student Clubs & Organizations: 39
Honor Societies: 17
Intercollegiate sports: 10 women, 10 men