Trinity Washington University
Trinity Washington University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Trinity Washington University at a Glance
Trinity Washington University is a private Catholic university in Washington, D.C., United States. It was founded as Trinity College by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in 1897 as the nation's first Catholic liberal arts college for women. Trinity was chartered by an Act of Congress on August 20, 1897. An elite collegian institution in its early life, the college faced declining enrollment by the 1980s. It began recruiting local underprivileged students. It was renamed Trinity Washington Unive…
1897
129 years old
1,800
Identity
Is Trinity Washington University Worth It?
Trinity Washington University delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $9,302/year, it's priced 54% below average, while graduates go on to earn $53,804 — near the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 47% 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 100% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
With median debt of $28,250 representing 53% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
How Trinity Washington University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #4 of 109 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 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | 83 | $11,704 | $58,170 |
| #2 | Albizu University-San Juan | 73 | $9,732 | $41,544 |
| #3 | Saint Peter's University | 72 | $12,199 | $57,815 |
| #4 | Trinity Washington University | 67 | $9,302 | $53,804 |
| #5 | Waynesburg University | 50 | $18,235 | $58,537 |
| #6 | Loras College | 48 | $20,716 | $58,289 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Trinity Washington University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Trinity Washington University
The highest-earning program at Trinity Washington University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $67,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $32,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Trinity Washington University earns $67,700, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $32,300. 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 $32,305 in median debt vs. $30,875 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $9,302/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 | $67,700 | $67,700 | $32,305 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $42,900 | $42,900 | $37,000 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $35,300 | $35,300 | $34,500 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $35,300 | $35,300 | $33,151 |
| Psychology, General | $32,300 | $32,300 | $30,875 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Washington, DC
- Student Body
- 1,414 students
- Admission Rate
- 100%
- Graduation Rate
- 47%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $9,302
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $53,804
- Median Student Debt
- $28,250