Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

University of Connecticut vs Trinity College: which has better ROI?

Public, Storrs CT · vs · Private nonprofit, Hartford CT

The verdict

Trinity College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $139,328 in 3.3 years versus 3.9 years at University of Connecticut, on median earnings of $90,779 vs $73,997 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureUniversity of ConnecticutTrinity College
Net price / yr$25,097$34,832
Total net cost$100,388$139,328
Median earnings, 10 yrs$73,997$90,779
Median debt$21,500$23,000
Payback3.9 yrs3.3 yrs
20-year net return$412,352$709,052

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

Which is cheaper, University of Connecticut or Trinity College?

University of Connecticut, at $25,097 a year after aid versus $34,832 — a gap of $9,735 a year, or $38,940 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do University of Connecticut or Trinity College 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. 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, University of Connecticut or Trinity College?

University of Connecticut: 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 83% at University of Connecticut. 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.

University of Connecticut vs Trinity College: frequently asked questions

Is University of Connecticut or Trinity College a better value?
Trinity College. It clears its $139,328 net cost in about 3.3 years versus 3.9 years at University of Connecticut, on median earnings of $90,779 vs $73,997 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Connecticut or Trinity College?
University of Connecticut: $25,097/yr net price after aid versus $34,832/yr at Trinity College — a difference of $9,735 a year, or about $38,940 over four years.
Do University of Connecticut or Trinity College graduates earn more?
Trinity College graduates earn a median $90,779 ten years after entry, versus $73,997 at University of Connecticut — a $16,782 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.