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Head-to-head comparison

University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus vs University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus: which has better ROI?

Public, Hartford CT · vs · Public, Waterbury CT

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

Option A Hartford, CT

University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus

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

Option B Waterbury, CT

University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus

Net price / year
$10,875
Earnings, 10 years
$73,997
Payback
1.7 yrs
The verdict

University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $43,500 in 1.7 years versus 2.6 years at University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus, on median earnings of $73,997 vs $73,997 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Connecticut-Hartford CampusUniversity of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus
Net price / yr$16,403$10,875
Total net cost$65,612$43,500
Median earnings, 10 yrs$73,997$73,997
Median debt$21,500$21,500
Payback2.6 yrs1.7 yrs
20-year net return$447,128$469,240

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

The short answer

Which is cheaper, University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus or University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus?

University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus, at $10,875 a year after aid versus $16,403 — a gap of $5,528 a year, or $22,112 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 University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus or University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus graduates earn more?

Graduates of both report a median $73,997 ten years after entry, so earnings do not separate them either — the ROI difference comes entirely from what each degree costs. Figures are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, not programme-level pay.

The short answer

Which leaves students with less debt, University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus or University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus?

Completers at both borrow a median $21,500, so neither school has the debt advantage. That figure covers federal loans of students who finished — borrowers who leave early are not counted, and private loans sit outside it.

The short answer

Which graduates more of its students?

65% of students finish at University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus, against 53% at University of Connecticut-Waterbury 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.

University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus vs University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus: frequently asked questions

Is University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus or University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus a better value?
University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus. It clears its $43,500 net cost in about 1.7 years versus 2.6 years at University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus, on median earnings of $73,997 vs $73,997 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus or University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus?
University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus: $10,875/yr net price after aid versus $16,403/yr at University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus — a difference of $5,528 a year, or about $22,112 over four years.
Do University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus or University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus graduates earn more?
University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus graduates earn a median $73,997 ten years after entry, versus $73,997 at University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus — a $0 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.