Trinity College
Hartford, Connecticut · Private Nonprofit · 29.3% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 87/100 · Strong Value
Trinity College scores 87 (Strong Value) on the CampusROI scale — a selective private liberal arts college in Hartford, CT with 2,146 enrolled students and a $70,770 sticker tuition discounted to a $34,832 net price. The score reflects a 5-year payback period, a 40.0% earnings premium, a 0.442 debt-to-earnings ratio, an 83.8% completion rate — among the highest of any institution in this dataset — and an 85.0% repayment rate at 3 years. Median 6-year earnings of $52,000 are modest for a selective private institution; the 10-year figure of $90,779 is the key indicator, suggesting that Trinity graduates reach significantly higher earnings as careers mature — a pattern consistent with graduate and professional school pipelines and finance-sector career advancement. The 83.8% completion rate and $23,000 median debt are standout institutional strengths. Economics (93 grads, $71,191 year-one, $122,068 at year four, grade B+) is the leading program. International Relations (77 grads, $42,979 year-one, $94,097 at year four, grade C) has the largest confirmed graduate count and shows strong long-term growth despite lower year-one earnings. The gap between year-one and 10-year institutional earnings is the largest in this dataset in absolute terms.
The median graduate earns $90,779 ten years after entry - well above the national median of roughly $55,000 for 4-year college graduates.
Trinity College
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $70,770/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $70,770/yr |
| Average net price | $34,832/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $139,328 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $90,779 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $52,000 |
| Median debt at graduation | $23,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $244 |
| Estimated payback period | 5 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 83.8% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,146 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Trinity College is $70,770/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $34,832/year, or roughly $139,328 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $11,054/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $48,515/year.
The median graduate leaves with $23,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $244 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $90,779 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.44 - well within manageable territory.
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 | $11,054 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $13,599 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $18,325 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $24,369 |
| $110,001+ | $48,515 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 income bracket pays $11,054 per year at Trinity — an exceptional net price for a $70,770 sticker institution, reflecting Trinity's commitment to meeting demonstrated need. The 30001-48000 bracket pays $13,599. For low-income students admitted to Trinity, the $11,054 per year cost against a 10-year earnings trajectory of $90,779 produces one of the strongest ROI cases in this dataset at any price point. The 83.8% completion rate confirms that students who enroll generally finish. Low-income students at Trinity should plan carefully for the near-term income gap — $52,000 median 6-year earnings in expensive Hartford and New York-adjacent markets requires careful financial management before the long-term earnings trajectory materializes.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $18,325 and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $24,369. The step-up from the low-income to middle-income brackets is material — $18,325 is nearly double the $11,054 paid by the lowest bracket. Middle-income families at Trinity are paying close to public flagship costs for a selective liberal arts education. At $18,000-$24,000 per year, the 5-year payback period and $90,779 in 10-year earnings produce a reasonable financial case. The question for middle-income families is whether Trinity's premium over flagship publics — roughly $10,000-$15,000 more per year — produces commensurately better outcomes. The 10-year earnings gap suggests it does for students who use Trinity's graduate and professional school pipeline.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families above $110,000 pay $48,515 per year at Trinity — a four-year total close to $194,000. This is a significant financial commitment for a $52,000 median 6-year earner. The financial case for full-pay Trinity rests almost entirely on the 10-year trajectory: $90,779 at 10 years against a $194,000 total cost produces a payback period in the 10-12 year range, depending on the specific program. Economics graduates ($71,191 year-one, $122,068 at year four) recover full-pay costs substantially faster. Full-pay families should run program-specific scenarios carefully — the $194,000 investment makes more sense for economics or public policy than for international relations near-term.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Trinity College with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Economics | $122,068 | B+ |
| International Relations | $94,097 | C |
| Public Policy Analysis | $82,638 | B |
| English Language and Literature | $68,063 | B+ |
| Sociology | $50,077 | - |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $67,115 | C+ |
| Biology | $52,179 | C+ |
| Area Studies | $73,229 | - |
| Mathematics | $63,076 | - |
| Psychology | $69,730 | C+ |
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.
Economics
Economics is Trinity's strongest graded program: 93 confirmed graduates, $71,191 year-one, $122,068 at year four, grade B+ on $21,500 median debt. Year-one earnings of $71,191 reflect strong placement into finance, consulting, and corporate roles from Hartford and the New York metro. The four-year trajectory to $122,068 is among the steepest growth curves in this dataset — reflecting economics majors' career advancement into senior analytical and management roles. At a $34,832 net price, the payback math on $21,500 median debt against $71,191 year-one earnings is approximately 4 months. Economics is one of the clearest cases for Trinity's ROI premium.
International Relations
International Relations is Trinity's largest confirmed-graduate program at 77 graduates: $42,979 year-one, $94,097 at year four, grade C on $25,000 median debt. Year-one earnings of $42,979 are modest for a $34,832 net price — the C grade reflects the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.582 in the near term. The four-year trajectory to $94,097 is the story: international relations graduates are advancing into government, think tanks, international business, and graduate programs that produce strong mid-career earnings. The 5-year institutional payback period depends partly on this delayed-growth profile. Students who choose international relations at Trinity should have a clear plan for the near-term income gap between graduation and the $94,097 trajectory.
Public Policy Analysis
Public Policy Analysis produces 39 confirmed graduates at $56,902 year-one and $82,638 at year four, grade B on $23,161 median debt. Year-one earnings of $56,902 are competitive for an entry-level policy analyst role in Connecticut and the Northeast, and the four-year trajectory to $82,638 reflects advancement within public sector, nonprofit, and research careers. Trinity's Hartford location provides proximity to Connecticut state government, insurance sector firms, and urban policy organizations that support practical placements. Public Policy is one of Trinity's stronger near-term earner programs relative to most liberal arts offerings.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 81.7% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 85.0% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 86.9% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 87.8% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 29.3% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 640-730 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 658-740 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 30-34 |
| Enrollment | 2,146 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 13.8% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $11,642 |
Trinity's 29.3% admission rate places it in the selective tier of New England liberal arts colleges. SAT 640-730 Math and 658-740 Reading and ACT 30-34 composite indicate preparation at or above the 90th percentile nationally. Trinity evaluates applications holistically and has historically been test-optional; the institution's relatively lower rankings among NESCAC colleges create a dynamic where it admits students who may be on the margin for Williams, Amherst, or Wesleyan. Students with strong academic profiles who are considering Trinity should also compare carefully with Bowdoin, Colby, and Hamilton — institutions with comparable selectivity and strong ROI profiles — and with Wesleyan and Middlebury.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Trinity's Scorecard peer schools are Albertus Magnus College, University of Bridgeport, Trinity University (TX), Franklin and Marshall College, and Bucknell University. Of these, Franklin and Marshall and Bucknell are the most meaningful academic peers — all three are selective small private institutions in the Northeast with liberal arts curricula and strong alumni networks in finance and professional fields. Trinity's ROI of 87 is competitive with Franklin and Marshall and Bucknell in the Strong Value tier. Among NESCAC colleges, Trinity's ROI reflects its position as a strong-outcome liberal arts institution with a distinctive Hartford urban setting. The key differentiator from less selective private institutions is Trinity's 83.8% completion rate and 10-year earnings trajectory — both substantially above the private college average.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trinity College (this school) | 87 | $34,832 | $90,779 |
| Bucknell University | 87 | $40,766 | $93,807 |
| Trinity University | 85 | $23,464 | $71,668 |
| Franklin and Marshall College | 81 | $36,425 | $76,124 |
| Albertus Magnus College | 39 | $34,028 | $60,144 |
| University of Bridgeport | 27 | $27,807 | $50,323 |
Who Thrives Here
Trinity admits 29.3% of applicants. SAT mid-ranges are 640-730 Math and 658-740 Reading; ACT composite 30-34. With 2,146 enrolled students and a 13.8% Pell grant rate — among the lowest in this dataset — Trinity serves a predominantly high-income student body with strong academic preparation. The institution is a small selective liberal arts college in the NESCAC peer group, emphasizing writing, research, urban engagement through its Learning Corridor partnerships, and broad humanities and social science preparation. Students who attend Trinity are typically targeting graduate school, law, finance, or policy careers where the credential value builds over time — reflected in the dramatic gap between 6-year and 10-year earnings. Students who need immediate post-graduation income to service debt may find Trinity's 6-year median of $52,000 limiting in the near term.
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
Trinity College delivers above-average financial returns for its graduates. At a net cost of $34,832 per year ($139,328 over four years), graduates earn a median of $90,779 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback period at roughly 5 years - a solid return on the investment.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, a 83.8% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $23,000 is very manageable against $90,779 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
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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.