Southern Connecticut State University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Southern Connecticut State University charges a net price of $20,857/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $83,428. Graduates earn a median $55,043 ten years after entry, $6,683/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 12.5 years — a 20-year net return of $50,232, a slow but positive payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Southern Connecticut State University's 12.5-year payback ranks #888 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 31% of them, and #21 of 36 in Connecticut.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $20,857/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $83,428 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $55,043 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $6,683/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $22,250 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 12.5 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $50,232 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Southern Connecticut State University's own numbers. Net price $20,857 × 4 years = $83,428 total. Median earnings $55,043 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $6,683 a year of premium. $83,428 ÷ $6,683 = 12.5 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $50,232. 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 Southern Connecticut State University students graduate with?
A median $22,250 in federal loans among completers, or 40% of the $55,043 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Southern Connecticut State University students graduate?
50% finish their degree — 50% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $83,428 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $166,856 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Southern Connecticut State University expensive compared with other Connecticut colleges?
Its $20,857 net price runs $5,195 below the $26,052 median across the 36 Connecticut colleges we profile, and $20,778 less across the full degree.