At $22,886/yr net price, University of Connecticut 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) | $22,886 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $91,544 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $73,997/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$39,997/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 83.8% |
| 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 | $13,936/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $14,656/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $18,705/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $26,945/yr |
| $110,001+ | $31,886/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
83.8% of students at University of Connecticut graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
UConn gives you a solid financial return for a public university, and the math works in your favor at most income levels. You leave with median debt of $21,500 against median earnings that clear $70k a decade out, and an 84% graduation rate means you're likely to actually finish and start earning. A 91% retention rate tells you students who start tend to stay.
The strongest bets are in engineering. Industrial engineering leads at over $82k, followed closely by computer science near $79k. Computer engineering stands out because it pays $74k while carrying the lowest debt on this list at $20,134, so you get high earnings without borrowing more to get there. Nursing lands in similar territory, pairing about $71k with modest debt near $20,300. If you're aiming at one of these five programs, UConn pays off clearly.
The risk is that these are the top-earning programs, not the typical outcome. If you enroll expecting engineering money but land in a lower-paying major, your debt stays the same while your salary drops. The salaries above tell you what's possible, not what's guaranteed.
Price is where family income matters most. Under $30k, you pay about $13,900 a year. over $110k, that jumps to nearly $31,900. That's more than double for the same degree. If your family earns under $48k, UConn is one of the more affordable four-year options in the region. Above $110k, you're paying close to sticker, and the return only justifies that cost if you're heading into engineering, computer science, or nursing.
Go here if you're a Connecticut resident targeting a technical or nursing degree. Look harder at the numbers if you're a high-income family planning a lower-paying major.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Connecticut worth the cost compared to other state schools?
UConn offers solid value with a net price of $22,886 and 10-year earnings of $73,997, giving graduates decent earning power relative to cost. The 84% graduation rate is strong for a public university, though the ROI depends heavily on your major.
What University of Connecticut programs have the best return on investment?
Pharmacy leads with $115,339 median earnings, followed by business ($106,249) and nursing ($105,392). Liberal arts and education majors typically see much lower returns that may not justify the full cost of attendance.
How much debt do University of Connecticut graduates typically have?
The median debt is $21,500, which is manageable for high-earning majors like pharmacy or business. However, graduates in lower-paying fields may struggle with loan payments relative to their starting salaries.
Does University of Connecticut provide good financial aid to reduce costs?
The $22,886 net price suggests decent aid for a flagship state university, though out-of-state students pay significantly more. In-state students generally get better value, while out-of-state students should carefully compare costs to other options.