Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Trinity Washington University vs Gallaudet University: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Washington DC · vs · Private nonprofit, Washington DC

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

Trinity Washington University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $37,208 in 6.8 years versus not at all at Gallaudet University, on median earnings of $53,804 vs $43,101 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureTrinity Washington UniversityGallaudet University
Net price / yr$9,302$15,845
Total net cost$37,208$63,380
Median earnings, 10 yrs$53,804$43,101
Median debt$28,250$18,000
Payback6.8 yrs—
20-year net return$71,672-$168,560

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

Which is cheaper, Trinity Washington University or Gallaudet University?

Trinity Washington University, at $9,302 a year after aid versus $15,845 — a gap of $6,543 a year, or $26,172 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 Washington University or Gallaudet University graduates earn more?

Trinity Washington University graduates report a median $53,804 ten years after entry, $10,703 more than the $43,101 at Gallaudet University. 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 Washington University or Gallaudet University?

Gallaudet University: its completers carry a median $18,000 in federal loans versus $28,250 at Trinity Washington University, a difference of $10,250. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

49% of students finish at Trinity Washington University, against 47% at Gallaudet University. 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.

Trinity Washington University vs Gallaudet University: frequently asked questions

Is Trinity Washington University or Gallaudet University a better value?
Trinity Washington University. It clears its $37,208 net cost in about 6.8 years versus no clear payback at Gallaudet University, on median earnings of $53,804 vs $43,101 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Trinity Washington University or Gallaudet University?
Trinity Washington University: $9,302/yr net price after aid versus $15,845/yr at Gallaudet University — a difference of $6,543 a year, or about $26,172 over four years.
Do Trinity Washington University or Gallaudet University graduates earn more?
Trinity Washington University graduates earn a median $53,804 ten years after entry, versus $43,101 at Gallaudet University — a $10,703 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.