
Rankings, Awards & Distinctions

Colleges of Distinction Awards
Westfield State University has been named a College of Distinction for the 2023-2024 academic year, marking its commitment to providing a high-quality undergraduate education that focuses on hands-on learning, strong student-teacher relationships, a vibrant campus life, and successful outcomes.
Colleges of Distinction’s selection process comprises a sequence of in-depth research and detailed interviews with the schools, accepting only those that adhere to the Four Distinctions: Engaged Students, Great Teaching, Vibrant Community, and Successful Outcomes. As a College of Distinction, Westfield State University has shown excellence in each of these areas, providing its students with a well-rounded, practical education that prepares them for successful careers and lives.
At Westfield State, we have many things to be proud of.
Rankings
- Ranked as one of the "Best Value Colleges and Universities" in the nation by College Consensus
- Ranked as the “most affordable college in Massachusetts,” according to rankings website CollegeAffordabilityGuide.org. Westfield State earned the highest score (96.4 on a scale of 100) among all New England colleges and universities (Read Press Release)
- Ranked #25 among the “Best Colleges in Massachusetts” credited for offering the best programs in a variety of subjects like its master’s in elementary education (#7); and undergraduate programs in history (#14), business administration (#21), and criminal justice (#27)
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Recognized by 2022 College Factual among ‘Best Colleges’ rankings for excellence of academic programs (Read Press Release)
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Ranked among top 100 in U.S. News & World Report’s
2022 Best Online Bachelor’s Programs rankings (Read Press Release)
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#1
10 Top New England Region Schools for a Bachelor's in Social Work (College Factual)
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TOP
online programs according to Intelligent.com.
Read Press Release
Awards & Distinctions
- One of the highest six-year graduation rates among the Massachusetts universities
- One of the largest producers of new teachers among the Massachusetts state universities
- Commonwealth Honors Program
- Urban Education Program
- Only public university in New England offering a bachelor of science in Regional Planning
- Highest percentage of undergraduate students who choose to live on campus among the state universities
- One of the largest employers in the City of Westfield
- Only four-year public university in “New England’s Knowledge Corridor”
- Enrolls students from every county in Massachusetts
- Participant in New England Regional Program for tuition adjustment for students from adjacent states
- Winner of 16 MASCAC athletics conference Smith Cup championships
- Designated as a “Top Military-Friendly College” by Advanced Military Education Magazine
- Designated as a military-friendly school by Victory Media