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Trinity College — ROI, Cost & Payback

Private nonprofit · Hartford, CT · 2,146 students

The verdict

Trinity College charges a net price of $34,832/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $139,328. Graduates earn a median $90,779 ten years after entry, $42,419/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 3.3 years — a 20-year net return of $709,052, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Trinity College's 3.3-year payback ranks #211 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 84% of them, and #6 of 36 in Connecticut.

Better ROI than 84% of US colleges#211 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$34,832
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$90,779
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
3.3 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
29%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
Trinity College: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$34,832/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$139,328our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$90,779Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$42,419/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$23,000Scorecard, 2026
Payback3.3 yrsour math
20-year net return$709,052our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

The arithmetic, on Trinity College's own numbers. Net price $34,832 × 4 years = $139,328 total. Median earnings $90,779 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $42,419 a year of premium. $139,328 ÷ $42,419 = 3.3 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $709,052. 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 Trinity College students graduate with?

A median $23,000 in federal loans among completers, or 25% of the $90,779 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.

What share of Trinity College students graduate?

84% finish their degree. Spread the $139,328 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $165,867 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.

Is Trinity College expensive compared with other Connecticut colleges?

Its $34,832 net price runs $8,781 above the $26,052 median across the 36 Connecticut colleges we profile, or $35,122 more across the full degree.

Trinity College: frequently asked questions

Is Trinity College worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. Trinity College charges $34,832/yr after aid ($139,328 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $90,779 ten years out — $42,419/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 3.3 years and returns $709,052 net over 20 years, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast.
How long does a Trinity College degree take to pay off?
About 3.3 years. We divide the $139,328 four-year net cost by the $42,419/yr earnings premium over the high-school baseline. It is a floor, not a ceiling — mid-career raises pay it back faster.
How much does Trinity College cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $34,832/yr — about $139,328 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does Trinity College compare to other Connecticut colleges?
It ranks #6 of 36 Connecticut colleges we track by payback. Its $90,779 median earnings beat the national median of $43,549, and its $34,832 net price is above the national median of $16,902.