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Wesleyan University vs Trinity College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Middletown 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 4.7 years at Wesleyan University, on median earnings of $90,779 vs $73,897 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureWesleyan UniversityTrinity College
Net price / yr$30,177$34,832
Total net cost$120,708$139,328
Median earnings, 10 yrs$73,897$90,779
Median debt$17,000$23,000
Payback4.7 yrs3.3 yrs
20-year net return$390,032$709,052

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

Which is cheaper, Wesleyan University or Trinity College?

Wesleyan University, at $30,177 a year after aid versus $34,832 — a gap of $4,655 a year, or $18,620 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Wesleyan University or Trinity College graduates earn more?

Trinity College graduates report a median $90,779 ten years after entry, $16,882 more than the $73,897 at Wesleyan 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, Wesleyan University or Trinity College?

Wesleyan University: its completers carry a median $17,000 in federal loans versus $23,000 at Trinity College, a difference of $6,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

93% of students finish at Wesleyan University, against 84% at Trinity 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.

Wesleyan University vs Trinity College: frequently asked questions

Is Wesleyan University or Trinity College a better value?
Trinity College. It clears its $139,328 net cost in about 3.3 years versus 4.7 years at Wesleyan University, on median earnings of $90,779 vs $73,897 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Wesleyan University or Trinity College?
Wesleyan University: $30,177/yr net price after aid versus $34,832/yr at Trinity College — a difference of $4,655 a year, or about $18,620 over four years.
Do Wesleyan University or Trinity College graduates earn more?
Trinity College graduates earn a median $90,779 ten years after entry, versus $73,897 at Wesleyan University — a $16,882 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.