Southern Connecticut State University
Southern Connecticut State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Southern Connecticut State University at a Glance
Southern Connecticut State University is a public research university in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Part of the Connecticut State University System, it was founded in 1893 and is governed by the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education. It is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity" as of 2025.
1893
133 years old
$46M
$46.2 million (2025)
8,155
6,242 undergrad · 1,913 grad
168 acres
Identity
Is Southern Connecticut State University Worth It?
At a value score of 32/100, Southern Connecticut State University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $55,043 — 2% above average — while paying $20,857/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 49% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 91% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Southern Connecticut State University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Southern Connecticut State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #149 of 188 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | California State University-Stanislaus | 100 | $6,067 | $63,188 |
| #3 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #4 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #5 | University of California-Merced | 93 | $11,983 | $64,368 |
| #6 | Solano Community College | 83 | $4,669 | $44,170 |
| #149 | Southern Connecticut State University | 32 | $20,857 | $55,043 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Southern Connecticut State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in CT.
Best Programs at Southern Connecticut State University
The highest-earning program at Southern Connecticut State University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $69,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is English Language and Literature, General at $25,400/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Southern Connecticut State University earns $69,600, while a English Language and Literature, General graduate earns $25,400. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $20,000 in median debt vs. $26,000 for English Language and Literature, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $20,857/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $69,600 | $69,600 | $20,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $48,600 | $48,600 | $25,687 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $43,500 | $43,500 | $22,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $42,400 | $42,400 | $24,031 |
| Social Work | $38,100 | $38,100 | $26,348 |
| Education, General | $33,600 | $33,600 | $21,810 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $33,600 | $33,600 | $26,000 |
| Sociology | $33,100 | $33,100 | $25,000 |
| Social Sciences, General | $31,200 | $31,200 | $25,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $31,000 | $31,000 | $25,500 |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management | $30,800 | $30,800 | $22,776 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $30,700 | $30,700 | $23,663 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $29,600 | $29,600 | $25,375 |
| Public Health | $29,100 | $29,100 | $25,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $28,100 | $28,100 | $25,000 |
| Biology, General | $27,600 | $27,600 | $21,500 |
| Psychology, General | $26,500 | $26,500 | $25,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $25,400 | $25,400 | $26,000 |
Similar Colleges in CT
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- New Haven, CT
- Student Body
- 6,295 students
- Admission Rate
- 91%
- Graduation Rate
- 49%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $20,857
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $55,043
- Median Student Debt
- $22,250