Southern Connecticut State University
New Haven, Connecticut · Public · 91.5% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 52/100 · Below Average Value
Southern Connecticut State University scores 52 (Below Average Value) on the CampusROI scale. The school's headline challenges are a 49.9% completion rate and $38,800 median 6-year earnings against a net price of $20,857. The payback period of 11.1 years is long, and the earnings premium of 0.240 is weak -- graduates earn roughly 24% above what non-graduates earn, one of the lower differentials on the site. Registered Nursing is the clear standout: 157 graduates, $87,795 year-one, $98,870 year-four, B+-grade ROI -- among the best nursing outcomes at any Connecticut public institution. Computer and Information Sciences (50 graduates, $58,480 year-one, $87,705 year-four) is a second viable program. Business Administration (219 graduates, $42,380 year-one) is marginal. Social Work, Sociology, Communication and Media Studies, and Kinesiology all carry D-to-F grades. Scorecard does not report test score data for SCSU. The 49.9% completion rate is the primary barrier to stronger aggregate outcomes: the school that enrolls 100 students and graduates 50 is half as efficient at creating credential-holders as its peer set.
Southern Connecticut State University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $13,438/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $27,378/yr |
| Average net price | $20,857/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $83,428 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $55,043 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $38,800 |
| Median debt at graduation | $22,250 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $236 |
| Estimated payback period | 11.1 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 49.9% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 6,295 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Southern Connecticut State University is $13,438/year ($27,378/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $20,857/year, or roughly $83,428 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $17,736/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $27,809/year.
The median graduate leaves with $22,250 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $236 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $55,043 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.57 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $17,736 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $18,729 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $19,437 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,532 |
| $110,001+ | $27,809 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 bracket pays $17,736 net price at SCSU. This is moderate-to-high for a public institution in Connecticut, reflecting SCSU's higher cost structure relative to CCSU. Low-income students face the same completion-rate risk as at all Connecticut state universities: the 49.9% graduation rate means roughly half will leave without a degree. Nursing students have the clearest pathway to a positive ROI.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $19,437 and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $22,532. Net prices in this range are broadly comparable to CCSU. Middle-income families should compare SCSU to CCSU and to University of Connecticut for similar programs -- UConn offers stronger earnings for a comparable or lower net price for many fields.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
The 110001-plus bracket pays $27,809 per year -- roughly $111,000 over four years. At $38,800 median 6-year earnings and an 11.1-year payback, full-pay families face a long time to break even on average programs. Nursing and CS graduates recover much faster. Higher-income families choosing SCSU over in-state alternatives should focus on program-specific outcomes rather than institutional aggregate.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Southern Connecticut State University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $63,310 | C |
| Registered Nursing | $98,870 | B+ |
| Psychology | $50,642 | C |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $53,411 | D |
| Sociology | $52,249 | D |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $50,379 | F |
| Biology | $67,791 | C |
| Social Work | $59,438 | D |
| Communication Disorders Sciences | $61,336 | D |
| Communication and Media Studies | $56,694 | D |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing is SCSU's strongest program and a genuine regional asset: 157 graduates, $87,795 year-one, $98,870 year-four, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.294 (ROI grade B+). At in-state public school prices with median debt of $25,837, nursing graduates here are well-positioned. The almost-$100k four-year earnings figure is among the stronger outcomes for nursing at Connecticut public institutions.
Computer and Information Sciences
Computer and Information Sciences (50 graduates) earns C+-grade ROI: $58,480 year-one, $87,705 year-four, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.487 with median debt of $28,500. The four-year trajectory from $58k to $88k is solid for a public school CS program. The C+ rather than B grade reflects higher debt relative to earnings at year one, but the long-run outlook is positive.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration is SCSU's largest non-nursing program at 219 graduates. Year-one earnings of $42,380, year-four of $63,310, median debt $24,663, debt-to-earnings ratio 0.582 (ROI grade C). The C grade reflects weak year-one earnings -- $42k for a business graduate in the expensive Connecticut market is below expectations. The four-year figure improves to $63k, suggesting career progression, but the early-career gap creates real debt-service pressure.
Kinesiology and Exercise Science
Kinesiology (68 graduates) earns an F-grade ROI: $24,029 year-one, $50,379 year-four, debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.082 with median debt of $26,000. Year-one earnings of $24,029 against $26,000 in debt means new graduates are immediately underwater. The four-year figure of $50k shows eventual recovery but the near-term financial pressure is severe at $20,857 net price.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 69.5% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 74.6% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 67.6% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 71.1% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 91.5% |
| Enrollment | 6,295 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 40.8% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $11,216 |
SCSU admits 91.5% of applicants. Scorecard does not report SAT or ACT score data for this institution. Admission is effectively open. The completion rate of 49.9% is the more important statistic -- prospective students should assess their academic readiness and support system rather than their likelihood of admission.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
SCSU's peers include Central Connecticut State University (ROI 63), Charter Oak State College, and William Paterson University. SCSU (ROI 52) trails CCSU on most metrics: lower earnings premium (0.240 vs. 0.349), lower completion rate (49.9% vs. 48.4%), and comparable payback periods. SCSU's nursing program outcomes are slightly stronger than CCSU's ($87,795 vs. $83,012 year-one), which is its primary competitive advantage. Both schools share a structural weakness in completion that limits their aggregate value.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Connecticut State University (this school) | 52 | $20,857 | $55,043 |
| Charter Oak State College | 77 | $15,815 | $64,209 |
| Central Connecticut State University | 63 | $16,857 | $58,562 |
| University of Alaska Anchorage | 54 | $15,301 | $51,871 |
| William Paterson University of New Jersey | 54 | $18,745 | $57,780 |
| Texas A&M University-Kingsville | 52 | $12,090 | $51,450 |
Who Thrives Here
SCSU admits 91.5% of applicants -- near open-access. Scorecard does not report SAT or ACT score ranges for this institution. With 6,295 enrolled students in New Haven, CT, SCSU is a mid-size regional public university. Pell grant rate of 40.8% indicates a predominantly first-generation and lower-income student body. The school is most defensible as a choice for students committed to nursing or computer science; other programs face a challenging return on a $20,857 net price in a competitive Connecticut job market.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The financial case for Southern Connecticut State University is mixed. At $20,857 per year net cost, graduates earn a median of $55,043 ten years after entry - a payback period of 11.1 years. That's below the average return for four-year institutions, and prospective students should carefully consider whether the investment aligns with their financial goals.
Areas of concern include a 49.9% graduation rate.
Median debt of $22,250 against $55,043 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.