Western Connecticut State University is a coeducational public institution based in and around the city of Danbury. Established in 1903, it has been known by its current name, and the acronym WCSU, since 1983.

WCSU is particularly well-known for its fine arts and professional courses. Its 50 academic programmes at undergraduate level and 16 for postgraduates run across four different schools: the Macricostas School of Arts & Sciences, the Ancell School of Business, the School of Professional Studies and the School of Visual & Performing Arts.

30 miles north west of New Haven and the sea, WCSU is 50 miles south west of state capital Hartford, under 10 miles east of the state border with New York and 60 miles from New York City. Its larger campus, which comprises more than 350 acres, is three miles from its smaller site, in Danbury city centre. The vast majority of its students are from Connecticut, particularly the Danbury and New Milford area, and more than two-thirds live off campus. Though its campus is urban, it enjoys close proximity to woods, walking trails and ski slopes.

Its best-known alumnus is Thurston Moore, the Sonic Youth singer-songwriter and guitarist.