Although there are just as many reasons to be a proud member of Lancer Nation as there are people who live, work, and study on campus, we thought we’d share some of our favorite points of pride:
1. We’re Just the Right Size.
With an average class size of 18 students, a 58-acre campus, and around 6,000 students any given semester, we’re just the right size. Everything you need is in one compact, walkable space and you will never be just another student in a sea of nameless faces. Worcester State students actually get to know their professors and classmates and build relationships that matter.
2. Our Students Can Follow their Passions or Blaze a New Trail.
When our students get involved in a student club or organization not only do they make lifelong friendships, but they also develop learning skills that support their intellectual enrichment. Research consistently tells us that students who are active and involved in campus life are more likely to stay in school, thrive academically, and complete a degree than students who stay on the sidelines!
3. Our Roots Go Deep.
We’ve been around for over 140 years. Originally founded as the Worcester Normal School in 1874, we were the fifth state-funded normal school in Massachusetts. But our deep roots don’t stop there. Local tradition holds that our Lancer Oak, located in Founder’s Park, is the oldest oak tree in Worcester.
4. We Have Dinner with a View.
From our very own freight farm hydroponic greens grown right on campus and Starbucks in our cafe to our new sushi and poke bowls and vegan options everyday, we take dining pretty seriously. Our students can dine in the “POD” and enjoy a stunning view of campus from almost any seat in the house.
5. Lancer Nation!
What list would be complete without a shout out to our sports fans? With 20 varsity sports and a world of intramural options, Lancer Nation is in full effect year round. From Midnight Madness basketball to homecoming football, traditions and fun are always alive and well in Lancer Nation.
6. Learning Doesn’t Stop at the Classroom Door.
We know that experiences outside the classroom that build on what goes on inside the classroom can make a huge difference. That’s why last year 1869 students engaged at 268 sites completing 161,255 hours of engaged learning. That’s 35% of our undergraduate students, engaged in a form of civic or experiential learning, making an impact for our local communities and beyond.
7. Our Affordability Means No Sticker Shock.
While the public debate about higher education and its value continues, rest assured that a Worcester State education is a great investment in the future. Our cost is 35% lower than other area schools and 68% of our students receive financial assistance. Add in the over 100 merit scholarships awarded through our Foundation each year, and our value proposition is pretty clear.
8. We’re Blue and Gold, and Green All Over.
Four of our campus building are LEED Gold-certified and we don’t stop there. From electric car charging stations to fitness equipment that generates electricity to power the Wellness Center, we are committed to a smaller ecological footprint. Throw in our bike share program and solar panels on building roofs, and we’re making other schools green with envy because Princeton Review’s Guide to Green Colleges called us the “Most Environmentally Responsible College.”
9. There’s Two Schools, but Over 60 Paths to Explore.
Between our School of Humanities and Social Sciences and School of Education, Health, and Natural Sciences, we offer over 60 majors, minors, concentrations, and interdisciplinary options to fit any educational path. Not to mention undergraduate research opportunities and study abroad options. Oh, wait! We did mention it, didn’t we?
10. Worcester is Rising.
There’s a good reason the seal of the city of Worcester features a heart; there’s almost too much to love in the Heart of the Commonwealth, and there’s no stopping there. We’re a city on the move, from downtown revitalization and a booming art scene to big investment in technology and medical research.
11. We Get our Students Job Ready.
Here’s one statistic we can’t help but shout from the rooftops. An impressive 99% of our graduates are employed, in graduate school, or both within six months of achieving their Worcester State degree. And what’s the average salary right off the bat? Our graduates report an average starting salary of $42,936. How do we help our students get there? Through our career services, internships, workshops and mentoring along with a network of over 23,000 alumni living and working in the region.
12. It’s Home, Sweet Home.
Whether students commute or call our campus home, they’re joining a tight-knit and diverse community where lifelong friendships and shared experiences will have a lasting impact on their lives. About 40% of our students call campus home as residential students, but dining and casual hangout spaces are strategically available in every building, including the four residence hall communities: Dowden, Sheehan, Wasylean, and Chandler Village.
13. We Know How to Hit the Books.
Our academic programs open up a world of opportunity for our students. While class sizes are kept small, opportunities for research and learning extends into the community and beyond. Our students learn by doing. They become the creative problem solvers and critical thinkers our world needs. Our annual Celebration of Scholarship and Creativity, where undergraduate student-scholars work closely with faculty on research and conference presentations, is a signature event not to be missed.
14. Social Justice Lives and Breathes Here.
From our priceless Civil Rights collection in the library to the Center for the Study of Human Rights and our core values of inclusion and tolerance, our community is made up of people from all walks of life and this richness makes us stronger and our experiences together more meaningful. Our commitment to civic engagement and cultural enrichment knows no bounds. Our community represents over 25 nations and our students make a difference studying and volunteering abroad through 60+ international partnerships.
15. We Think It’s the Place to Be and Others Agree.
Think we’re tooting our own horn? Don’t take our word for it. We are consistently rated as an affordable, high quality education year after year. For 15 consecutive years we’ve been the Princeton Review’s “Best in the Northeast” college and counting. Need more? Worcester Magazine has rated us the “Best College” for a decade and Money Magazine says we’re the “Best College for Your Money.” Who are we to argue?
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