University of New Haven
West Haven, Connecticut · Private Nonprofit · 60.4% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 48/100 · Below Average Value
The University of New Haven (UNH) is a private university in West Haven, CT, enrolling about 4,841 students. Sticker tuition of $47,332 and a net price of $34,192 make it among the higher-cost schools in this batch — and the data shows the strain. Its ROI score of 48 (Below Average Value) reflects median six-year earnings of $40,500, a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.67, and an 11-year payback period — a long timeline at premium pricing. The school's most popular programs — criminal justice (247 graduates) and security science (102 graduates) — reflect a distinctive national brand in forensics, criminal justice, and homeland security, but even these programs produce ratios in the C-to-D range at New Haven's net price. Engineering, accounting, and chemical engineering tell a different story: graduates in those fields earn above $80,000 at four years with ratios below 0.38. The 63.1% completion rate is above average for this peer group. UNH's value proposition depends almost entirely on program selection — the gap between top and bottom programs is among the widest in the data.
University of New Haven
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $47,332/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $47,332/yr |
| Average net price | $34,192/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $136,768 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $60,126 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $40,500 |
| Median debt at graduation | $27,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $286 |
| Estimated payback period | 11 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 63.1% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 4,841 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at University of New Haven is $47,332/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $34,192/year, or roughly $136,768 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $27,837/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $38,385/year.
The median graduate leaves with $27,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $286 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $60,126 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.67 - 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 | $27,837 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $29,043 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $31,601 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $34,853 |
| $110,001+ | $38,385 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Low-income students (under $30,000) pay $27,837 net — a steep price that reflects UNH's limited financial aid for lower-income families compared to its sticker reduction. Four-year investment approaches $111,000. With median six-year earnings of $40,500, the payback timeline extends well beyond 11 years unless the student is in a high-ROI program. Low-income students at UNH should prioritize accounting, engineering, or nursing-adjacent tracks where earnings clear $70,000 in year one.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $48,001–$75,000 band pays $31,601 net, with a four-year commitment over $126,000. This is expensive territory, and the 48/100 ROI score reflects that at the institutional average, middle-income families are not getting premium returns for a premium price. Program discipline is essential. An engineering or accounting UNH graduate at these costs reaches positive ROI within 5–7 years; a communication or music graduate may not reach it at all in a financially meaningful timeframe.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Households above $110,000 pay $38,385 net — nearly $154,000 over four years. At this price, UNH competes directly against flagship publics like UConn or UMass Amherst, both of which offer stronger research infrastructure and similar or better ROI. For high-income families, UNH's value is its criminal justice and forensics niche — unique programs that UConn and UMass do not replicate at the same depth.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of New Haven with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $60,656 | D |
| Psychology | $55,058 | D |
| Security Science and Technology | $63,360 | C |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $59,107 | D |
| Mechanical Engineering | $89,099 | B |
| Music | $47,057 | F |
| Civil Engineering | $83,798 | B |
| Design and Applied Arts | $31,975 | F |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management | $50,112 | F |
| Dental Support Services | $73,231 | B |
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.
Accounting
Accounting is UNH's highest-ROI program by grade (A) — $86,158 at four years against $20,772 in median debt yields a 0.24 ratio. Only 16 graduates reported, so the cohort is small, but the direction is clear: accounting at UNH, a school embedded in the New England financial corridor, produces CPA-track results. Students who pair an accounting degree with UNH's forensic accounting specialization gain a competitive differentiator in the audit and fraud investigation market.
Civil Engineering
Civil Engineering (25 graduates) earns $70,495 at one year and $83,798 at four, with a 0.38 ratio and B grade. Connecticut's aging infrastructure and the Northeast's construction boom create sustained demand for CE graduates. The ratio improves meaningfully when considered against UNH's net price: at $34,192 per year, the four-year cost approaches $137,000 — making this viable only for students confident in their engineering path.
Security Science and Technology
Security Science (102 graduates — the second-largest reported cohort) earns $40,889 at one year and $63,360 at four, with a 0.66 ratio and C grade. The program feeds federal and private sector security roles, and UNH's brand is recognized in law enforcement and intelligence hiring. At the school's net price, the ratio is challenging — but federal agency positions with cleared status, benefits, and retirement can transform lifetime ROI substantially beyond what undergraduate Scorecard data captures.
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Criminal Justice is UNH's largest graduate count program (247 reported). One-year earnings of $36,455 and four-year of $60,656 against $27,000 median debt produce a 0.74 ratio, graded D. The UNH forensic criminology brand is nationally known, and many graduates leverage it into law school, federal law enforcement, and crime analysis careers. At $34,000 net price, the long-term case requires graduate school planning or public service loan forgiveness alignment.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering (29 graduates) earns $62,534 at one year and $89,099 at four, with a 0.43 ratio and B grade. New Haven's proximity to Pratt & Whitney, Sikorsky, and the Northeast manufacturing corridor provides solid placement. Among UNH's engineering programs, mechanical offers the broadest industry exposure and the clearest employer recognition. Students in this program at UNH's net price see competitive four-year earnings that justify the investment.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 72.6% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 78.6% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 72.4% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 76.0% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 60.4% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 520-620 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 540-645 |
| Enrollment | 4,841 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 32.4% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $11,914 |
UNH admits 60% of applicants — noticeably more selective than most institutions in this batch. SAT mid-range is 520–620 (math) and 540–645 (reading). ACT data not reported. The selectivity means UNH does filter for academic readiness, which partly explains the above-average 63% completion rate. Students interested in forensic science, forensic accounting, or engineering should confirm program-specific prerequisites and lab capacity during the visit process.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
UNH's ROI score of 48 puts it in Below Average Value territory alongside Albertus Magnus, University of Bridgeport, and Hampton University. UNH's key differentiation is its criminal justice and forensic science reputation — no peer school matches the brand depth in that field. However, the earnings data shows that brand recognition does not fully translate into premium earnings for most criminal justice graduates. UNH outperforms peers on completion rate (63%) and repayment trajectory (79% at year seven). Its engineering programs consistently outperform most of its comparison set.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of New Haven (this school) | 48 | $34,192 | $60,126 |
| Park University | 50 | $21,032 | $56,309 |
| Touro University | 50 | $29,627 | $53,419 |
| Hampton University | 47 | $25,319 | $59,159 |
| Albertus Magnus College | 39 | $34,028 | $60,144 |
| University of Bridgeport | 27 | $27,807 | $50,323 |
Who Thrives Here
UNH is a natural fit for students interested in criminal justice, forensic science, and security technology — the programs that define the school's brand and national reputation. Engineering and accounting students get strong outcomes at high prices. Students drawn to music, arts, communications, or design face an uphill ROI battle that warrants serious financial planning. The 60% admission rate suggests a moderately selective process; test scores in the 520–645 range across sections are competitive.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The financial case for University of New Haven is mixed. At $34,192 per year net cost, graduates earn a median of $60,126 ten years after entry - a payback period of 11 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 weak earnings relative to cost and high debt relative to what graduates earn.
Median debt of $27,000 against $60,126 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.