University of Hartford
University of Hartford — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Hartford at a Glance
The University of Hartford (UHart) is a private university in West Hartford, Connecticut, United States. Its 350-acre (1.4 km2) main campus extends into neighboring Hartford and Bloomfield. It enrolled approximately 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students as of fall 2024. The university is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
1957
69 years old
$202M
$202.1 million (2025)
6,022
4,229 undergrad · 1,793 grad
350 acres
Identity
Is University of Hartford Worth It?
At a value score of 28/100, University of Hartford is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $60,823 — 13% above average — while paying $30,282/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 56% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 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 96% 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 University of Hartford has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How University of Hartford compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #34 of 46 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 Peter's University | 72 | $12,199 | $57,815 |
| #2 | Regis University | 60 | $18,397 | $72,105 |
| #3 | Niagara University | 59 | $17,248 | $56,196 |
| #4 | Valparaiso University | 58 | $18,578 | $63,191 |
| #5 | Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus | 54 | $15,404 | $57,273 |
| #6 | La Salle University | 50 | $19,409 | $67,416 |
| #34 | University of Hartford | 28 | $30,282 | $60,823 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of University of Hartford's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at University of Hartford
The highest-earning program at University of Hartford is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $81,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Film/Video and Photographic Arts at $17,400/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from University of Hartford earns $81,000, while a Film/Video and Photographic Arts graduate earns $17,400. 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 $19,000 in median debt vs. $25,000 for Film/Video and Photographic Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $30,282/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 | $81,000 | $81,000 | $19,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $62,400 | $62,400 | $27,000 |
| Civil Engineering | $55,400 | $55,400 | $27,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $52,200 | $52,200 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $44,700 | $44,700 | $25,618 |
| Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $41,800 | $41,800 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $41,700 | $41,700 | $27,000 |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $38,200 | $38,200 | $27,000 |
| General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations | $37,300 | $37,300 | $26,000 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $31,000 | $31,000 | $27,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $29,300 | $29,300 | $27,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $28,900 | $28,900 | $26,000 |
| Area Studies | $28,000 | $28,000 | N/A |
| Special Education and Teaching | $27,200 | $27,200 | $27,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $26,300 | $26,300 | $26,250 |
| Biology, General | $24,300 | $24,300 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General | $24,300 | $24,300 | $27,000 |
| Music | $22,600 | $22,600 | $27,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $20,300 | $20,300 | $26,113 |
| Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management | $18,300 | $18,300 | $24,646 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $17,400 | $17,400 | $25,000 |
Similar Colleges in CT
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- West Hartford, CT
- Student Body
- 4,146 students
- Admission Rate
- 96%
- Graduation Rate
- 56%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $30,282
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $60,823
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000