University of Connecticut
University of Connecticut — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Connecticut at a Glance
The University of Connecticut (UConn) is a public land-grant research university system with its main campus in Storrs, Connecticut, United States. It was founded in 1881 as the Storrs Agricultural School, named after two benefactors. In 1893, the school became a public land grant college, then took its current name in 1939. Over the following decade, social work, nursing, and graduate programs were established. During the 1960s, UConn Health was established for new medical and dental schools. U…
1881
145 years old
$669M
$668.6 million (2025)
33,554
25,304 undergrad · 8,250 grad
5,422
4,400 acres
Identity
Is University of Connecticut Worth It?
University of Connecticut delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $25,097/year, it's priced 23% above average, while graduates go on to earn $73,997 — 38% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 84% graduation rate means roughly 16% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How University of Connecticut compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #7 of 11 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 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #2 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch College | 100 | $3,033 | $75,971 |
| #3 | CUNY Hunter College | 100 | $2,984 | $63,163 |
| #4 | Stony Brook University | 76 | $18,784 | $74,502 |
| #5 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | 71 | $24,953 | $81,698 |
| #6 | University of Massachusetts-Amherst | 67 | $22,383 | $71,631 |
| #7 | University of Connecticut | 62 | $25,097 | $73,997 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Connecticut's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at University of Connecticut
The highest-earning program at University of Connecticut is Computer Science at $74,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Anthropology at $18,400/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Science graduate from University of Connecticut earns $74,500, while a Anthropology graduate earns $18,400. 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: Computer Science graduates carry $25,250 in median debt vs. $26,000 for Anthropology.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $25,097/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $74,500 | $74,500 | $25,250 |
| Computer Engineering | $69,600 | $69,600 | $25,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $69,400 | $69,400 | $18,750 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $69,300 | $69,300 | $22,700 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $66,800 | $66,800 | $22,577 |
| Chemical Engineering | $66,700 | $66,700 | $27,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $64,400 | $64,400 | $21,500 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $63,900 | $63,900 | $19,152 |
| Civil Engineering | $63,600 | $63,600 | $26,076 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $60,600 | $60,600 | $21,500 |
| Materials Engineering | $60,200 | $60,200 | $26,334 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $59,900 | $59,900 | N/A |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $59,000 | $59,000 | $22,000 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $54,300 | $54,300 | $22,375 |
| Marketing | $48,200 | $48,200 | $20,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $46,800 | $46,800 | $19,595 |
| Economics | $45,100 | $45,100 | $21,500 |
| Statistics | $44,600 | $44,600 | $22,000 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $41,200 | $41,200 | $17,840 |
| Chemistry | $40,000 | $40,000 | $23,497 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $39,600 | $39,600 | $21,205 |
| Political Science and Government | $38,100 | $38,100 | $21,100 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $37,900 | $37,900 | $21,500 |
| Journalism | $37,700 | $37,700 | $21,500 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $37,500 | $37,500 | $21,500 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $36,800 | $36,800 | $20,298 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | $32,800 | $32,800 | $21,500 |
| Psychology, General | $31,800 | $31,800 | $22,675 |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | $31,500 | $31,500 | $21,500 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $31,300 | $31,300 | $22,885 |
| Sociology | $28,100 | $28,100 | $22,250 |
| Zoology/Animal Biology | $27,800 | $27,800 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $27,700 | $27,700 | $23,000 |
| Nutrition Sciences | $26,900 | $26,900 | $21,500 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $25,300 | $25,300 | $21,876 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $24,500 | $24,500 | $21,500 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $24,500 | $24,500 | $19,885 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $24,500 | $24,500 | $27,000 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $24,200 | $24,200 | $21,500 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $24,000 | $24,000 | $23,500 |
| History | $23,000 | $23,000 | $25,217 |
| Animal Sciences | $22,900 | $22,900 | $19,500 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $22,700 | $22,700 | $20,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $22,400 | $22,400 | $25,000 |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | $20,900 | $20,900 | $23,486 |
| Anthropology | $18,400 | $18,400 | $26,000 |
Similar Colleges in CT
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Storrs, CT
- Student Body
- 19,835 students
- Admission Rate
- 52%
- Graduation Rate
- 84%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $25,097
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $73,997
- Median Student Debt
- $21,500