At $33,998/yr net price, Connecticut College graduates earn $75,001/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $41,001/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $33,998 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $135,992 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $75,001/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$41,001/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 83.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $13,666/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $20,097/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $26,760/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $30,787/yr |
| $110,001+ | $44,604/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economics. | Bachelor | $54,522 | $23,125 |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor | $45,696 | $24,425 |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $42,682 | $20,670 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies. | Bachelor | $39,729 | $25,605 |
| History. | Bachelor | $39,369 | $21,500 |
| Area Studies. | Bachelor | $36,312 | $21,220 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | Bachelor | $35,060 | |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor | $35,060 | $24,125 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor | $32,925 | $21,500 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $32,284 | $23,625 |
The Risk Factor
83.7% of students at Connecticut College graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
Connecticut College gives you a mixed financial picture: strong overall earnings and graduation numbers, but the sticker price bites and the listed programs skew toward lower-paying liberal arts fields. The median graduate clears $75,001 ten years out, and 84% of students finish. Median debt stays moderate, so the typical borrower isn't drowning.
The program data tells a different story than the overall median. Economics is the clear winner among the listed majors, paying about $54,500 against debt near $23,000. That's roughly $12,000 more per year than sociology and about $9,000 more than international relations, for similar debt loads. Political science, history, and international relations all land in the high $30,000s to mid-$40,000s early on. These are humanities and social science paychecks, and none of the listed programs is a fast track to high income out of the gate. The gap between these early-career numbers and the $75,001 median suggests earnings climb well after graduation, so you're betting on the long game.
The specific risk here is cost. If your family earns over $110k, you pay $44,604 a year, and no listed program starts near that annual figure. Stacking four years at that price against a sociology or history salary makes the math tight. Economics is the major that most reliably justifies the full price.
This school fits you if your family income falls under $48k, where net price drops to $13,666-$20,097 and the return works even for lower-paying majors. It also fits you if you're aiming at economics or a graduate degree later. If you're paying the top tier and want an early salary to match, look harder at the numbers before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Connecticut College worth the cost compared to other liberal arts schools?
Connecticut College graduates earn $75,001 after 10 years, which is solid but not exceptional for a school with a $34,000 annual net price. The ROI is reasonable if you can graduate debt-free, but the value proposition weakens significantly with heavy borrowing.
What majors at Connecticut College have the best return on investment?
Economics majors earn the highest starting salaries at $54,522, making it the clear winner for ROI. Political Science ($45,696) and Sociology ($42,682) graduates earn considerably less, which may not justify the cost for debt-heavy students.
How much debt do Connecticut College students typically graduate with?
The median debt is $23,500, which is manageable given the 10-year earnings of $75,001. However, students borrowing significantly more than the median face a tougher path to positive ROI.
Does Connecticut College's financial aid make it affordable for middle-class families?
With a net price of $33,998, Connecticut College remains expensive even after aid for most middle-class families. The school's aid packages may not keep pace with the full cost of attendance, potentially leading to higher debt loads.