Trinity College
Trinity College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Trinity College at a Glance
Trinity College is a private liberal arts college in Hartford, Connecticut, United States. Founded as Washington College in 1823, it is the second-oldest college in the state of Connecticut. Coeducational since 1969, the college enrolls 2,235 students. Trinity offers 41 majors and 28 interdisciplinary minors. The college is a member of the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC).
1823
203 years old
$893M
$893.2 million (2025)
2,241
2,200 undergrad · 41 grad
230
100 acres
Identity
How to Apply to Trinity College
Official admissions pageFee waiver
Is Trinity College Worth It?
Trinity College offers moderate value at $34,832/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $90,779, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 83% graduation rate means roughly 17% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Admission is competitive with a 29% acceptance rate, so applicants should have strong academic credentials.
How Trinity College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #3 of 12 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 | Trinity University | 63 | $23,464 | $71,668 |
| #2 | Lafayette College | 58 | $34,433 | $91,410 |
| #3 | Trinity College | 54 | $34,832 | $90,779 |
| #4 | Bryn Mawr College | 49 | $31,759 | $75,217 |
| #5 | Gettysburg College | 47 | $31,490 | $71,517 |
| #6 | Scripps College | 45 | $36,294 | $77,539 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Trinity College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in CT.
Best Programs at Trinity College
The highest-earning program at Trinity College is Economics at $61,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Political Science and Government at $40,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Economics graduate from Trinity College earns $61,200, while a Political Science and Government graduate earns $40,000. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Economics graduates carry $23,000 in median debt vs. $17,756 for Political Science and Government.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $34,832/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economics | $61,200 | $61,200 | $23,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $40,000 | $40,000 | $17,756 |
Similar Colleges in CT
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Hartford, CT
- Student Body
- 2,146 students
- Admission Rate
- 29%
- Graduation Rate
- 83%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $34,832
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $90,779
- Median Student Debt
- $23,000