At $8,896/yr net price, University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus graduates earn $73,997/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $39,997/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $8,896 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $35,584 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $73,997/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$39,997/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 0.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 59.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $21,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,695/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $3,649/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $8,414/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $13,850/yr |
| $110,001+ | $18,325/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $115,339 | $78,910 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $106,249 | $48,368 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $105,392 | $42,717 |
| Dentistry. | Doctoral | $95,473 | $143,655 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. | Master | $89,859 | $39,217 |
| Engineering, General. | Master | $89,144 | |
| Applied Mathematics. | Master | $86,689 | |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Certificate | $86,621 | $44,704 |
| Industrial Engineering. | Bachelor | $82,440 | $24,889 |
| Civil Engineering. | Master | $80,124 |
The Risk Factor
59.5% of students at University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
UConn-Waterbury gives you a strong financial return for a low price. You pay under $9,000 a year on average, walk out with median debt around $21,500, and earn about $74,000 a decade later. That debt-to-earnings gap is one of the healthier ones you'll find at a public campus, and the 79% retention rate means most people who start here stick around.
The payoff concentrates in engineering and nursing. Industrial engineering leads at $82,440, followed by computer science near $79,500, both bachelor's outcomes that clear the campus median comfortably. Computer engineering stands out because you earn over $74,000 while carrying only about $20,000 in debt, the best return-to-cost ratio of the top programs. Nursing pays similarly at $70,783 with low debt, and Connecticut's healthcare market keeps that demand steady. If you enroll planning to major in these fields, the math works in your favor.
The risk is that these earnings reflect specific technical and health majors. No lower-paying program data is listed here, so if you land in a major outside engineering, computer science, or nursing, your outcome could look very different from the $74,000 median. The 59.5% graduation rate is the other risk: four in ten students don't finish, and debt without a degree is the worst outcome.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families most. Under $48,000 in family income, you pay under $5,000 a year. Between $48,000 and $75,000 the price jumps to about $8,400, and above $110,000 you're paying over $18,000. This is a good financial fit if you're aiming at a technical or nursing degree and your family earns under $75,000. If you're undecided on a major or your family income tops $110,000, weigh the higher price against your likely field before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus worth the cost?
With a net price of $8,896 and median earnings of $73,997 after 10 years, UConn Waterbury offers solid value for in-state students. However, the 59.5% graduation rate means four out of ten students don't finish, which significantly hurts ROI.
What are the best paying majors at University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus?
Pharmacy leads with $115,339 median earnings, followed by business administration at $106,249 and nursing at $105,392. These programs justify the investment, while other majors may not provide the same return.
How much student debt do University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus graduates have?
Graduates carry a median debt of $21,500, which is manageable given the relatively low annual cost. The debt-to-income ratio works out favorably for top-paying programs but could be problematic for lower-earning majors.
Does University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus have good financial aid?
The $8,896 net price suggests decent financial aid for many students, making it affordable compared to private colleges. However, outcomes depend heavily on choosing the right program and actually graduating.