Trinity College vs University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus: which has better ROI?
University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $43,500 in 1.7 years versus 3.3 years at Trinity College, on median earnings of $73,997 vs $90,779 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Trinity College | University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $34,832 | $10,875 |
| Total net cost | $139,328 | $43,500 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $90,779 | $73,997 |
| Median debt | $23,000 | $21,500 |
| Payback | 3.3 yrs | 1.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $709,052 | $469,240 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Trinity College or University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus?
University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus, at $10,875 a year after aid versus $34,832 — a gap of $23,957 a year, or $95,828 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Trinity College or University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus graduates earn more?
Trinity College graduates report a median $90,779 ten years after entry, $16,782 more than the $73,997 at University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus. 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, Trinity College or University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus?
University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus: its completers carry a median $21,500 in federal loans versus $23,000 at Trinity College, a difference of $1,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
84% of students finish at Trinity College, against 53% at University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus. 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.