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Yale University vs University of Connecticut-Stamford: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, New Haven CT · vs · Public, Stamford CT

The verdict

Yale University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $95,108 in 1.8 years versus 2.6 years at University of Connecticut-Stamford, on median earnings of $100,533 vs $73,997 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureYale UniversityUniversity of Connecticut-Stamford
Net price / yr$23,777$16,798
Total net cost$95,108$67,192
Median earnings, 10 yrs$100,533$73,997
Median debt$12,975$21,500
Payback1.8 yrs2.6 yrs
20-year net return$948,352$445,548

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

Which is cheaper, Yale University or University of Connecticut-Stamford?

University of Connecticut-Stamford, at $16,798 a year after aid versus $23,777 — a gap of $6,979 a year, or $27,916 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Yale University or University of Connecticut-Stamford graduates earn more?

Yale University graduates report a median $100,533 ten years after entry, $26,536 more than the $73,997 at University of Connecticut-Stamford. 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, Yale University or University of Connecticut-Stamford?

Yale University: its completers carry a median $12,975 in federal loans versus $21,500 at University of Connecticut-Stamford, a difference of $8,525. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

96% of students finish at Yale University, against 57% at University of Connecticut-Stamford. 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.

Yale University vs University of Connecticut-Stamford: frequently asked questions

Is Yale University or University of Connecticut-Stamford a better value?
Yale University. It clears its $95,108 net cost in about 1.8 years versus 2.6 years at University of Connecticut-Stamford, on median earnings of $100,533 vs $73,997 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Yale University or University of Connecticut-Stamford?
University of Connecticut-Stamford: $16,798/yr net price after aid versus $23,777/yr at Yale University — a difference of $6,979 a year, or about $27,916 over four years.
Do Yale University or University of Connecticut-Stamford graduates earn more?
Yale University graduates earn a median $100,533 ten years after entry, versus $73,997 at University of Connecticut-Stamford — a $26,536 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.