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Head-to-head comparison

Charter Oak State College vs University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus: which has better ROI?

Public, New Britain CT · vs · Public, Hartford CT

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

Option A New Britain, CT

Charter Oak State College

Net price / year
$15,815
Earnings, 10 years
$64,209
Payback
4 yrs

Option B Hartford, CT

University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus

Net price / year
$16,403
Earnings, 10 years
$73,997
Payback
2.6 yrs
The verdict

University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $65,612 in 2.6 years versus 4 years at Charter Oak State College, on median earnings of $73,997 vs $64,209 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCharter Oak State CollegeUniversity of Connecticut-Hartford Campus
Net price / yr$15,815$16,403
Total net cost$63,260$65,612
Median earnings, 10 yrs$64,209$73,997
Median debt$18,683$21,500
Payback4 yrs2.6 yrs
20-year net return$253,720$447,128

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

The short answer

Which is cheaper, Charter Oak State College or University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus?

Charter Oak State College, at $15,815 a year after aid versus $16,403 — a gap of $588 a year, or $2,352 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

The short answer

Do Charter Oak State College or University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus graduates earn more?

University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus graduates report a median $73,997 ten years after entry, $9,788 more than the $64,209 at Charter Oak State College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

The short answer

Which leaves students with less debt, Charter Oak State College or University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus?

Charter Oak State College: its completers carry a median $18,683 in federal loans versus $21,500 at University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus, a difference of $2,817. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

The short answer

Which graduates more of its students?

67% of students finish at Charter Oak State College, against 65% at University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Charter Oak State College vs University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus: frequently asked questions

Is Charter Oak State College or University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus a better value?
University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus. It clears its $65,612 net cost in about 2.6 years versus 4 years at Charter Oak State College, on median earnings of $73,997 vs $64,209 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Charter Oak State College or University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus?
Charter Oak State College: $15,815/yr net price after aid versus $16,403/yr at University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus — a difference of $588 a year, or about $2,352 over four years.
Do Charter Oak State College or University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus graduates earn more?
University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus graduates earn a median $73,997 ten years after entry, versus $64,209 at Charter Oak State College — a $9,788 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.