Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Connecticut State Community College vs Cortiva Institute: which has better ROI?

Public, New Britain CT · vs · Private for-profit, Cromwell CT

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Connecticut State Community College comes closer — median earnings $41,344 against a $23,026 total, vs $34,866 at Cortiva Institute. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureConnecticut State Community CollegeCortiva Institute
Net price / yr$11,513$34,436
Total net cost$23,026$137,744
Median earnings, 10 yrs$41,344$34,866
Median debt$9,200$11,259
Payback
20-year net return-$163,346-$407,624

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Connecticut State Community College or Cortiva Institute?

Connecticut State Community College, at $11,513 a year after aid versus $34,436 — a gap of $22,923 a year, or $114,718 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Connecticut State Community College or Cortiva Institute graduates earn more?

Connecticut State Community College graduates report a median $41,344 ten years after entry, $6,478 more than the $34,866 at Cortiva Institute. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Connecticut State Community College or Cortiva Institute?

Connecticut State Community College: its completers carry a median $9,200 in federal loans versus $11,259 at Cortiva Institute, a difference of $2,059. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

85% of students finish at Cortiva Institute, against 24% at Connecticut State Community College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Connecticut State Community College vs Cortiva Institute: frequently asked questions

Is Connecticut State Community College or Cortiva Institute a better value?
Connecticut State Community College comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Connecticut State Community College or Cortiva Institute?
Connecticut State Community College: $11,513/yr net price after aid versus $34,436/yr at Cortiva Institute — a difference of $22,923 a year, or about $114,718 over four years.
Do Connecticut State Community College or Cortiva Institute graduates earn more?
Connecticut State Community College graduates earn a median $41,344 ten years after entry, versus $34,866 at Cortiva Institute — a $6,478 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.