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Head-to-head comparison

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

Public, Storrs CT · vs · Public, New Britain CT

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

Option A Storrs, CT

University of Connecticut

Net price / year
$25,097
Earnings, 10 years
$73,997
Payback
3.9 yrs

Option B New Britain, CT

Charter Oak State College

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

University of Connecticut has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $100,388 in 3.9 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
MeasureUniversity of ConnecticutCharter Oak State College
Net price / yr$25,097$15,815
Total net cost$100,388$63,260
Median earnings, 10 yrs$73,997$64,209
Median debt$21,500$18,683
Payback3.9 yrs4 yrs
20-year net return$412,352$253,720

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

The short answer

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

Charter Oak State College, at $15,815 a year after aid versus $25,097 — a gap of $9,282 a year, or $37,128 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 or Charter Oak State College graduates earn more?

University of Connecticut 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, University of Connecticut or Charter Oak State College?

Charter Oak State College: its completers carry a median $18,683 in federal loans versus $21,500 at University of Connecticut, 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?

83% of students finish at University of Connecticut, against 67% at Charter Oak State College. 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 vs Charter Oak State College: frequently asked questions

Is University of Connecticut or Charter Oak State College a better value?
University of Connecticut. It clears its $100,388 net cost in about 3.9 years versus 4 years at Charter Oak State College, on median earnings of $73,997 vs $64,209 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Connecticut or Charter Oak State College?
Charter Oak State College: $15,815/yr net price after aid versus $25,097/yr at University of Connecticut — a difference of $9,282 a year, or about $37,128 over four years.
Do University of Connecticut or Charter Oak State College graduates earn more?
University of Connecticut 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.