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Head-to-head comparison

Western Connecticut State University vs Connecticut College: which has better ROI?

Public, Danbury CT · vs · Private nonprofit, New London CT

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

Option A Danbury, CT

Western Connecticut State University

Net price / year
$17,604
Earnings, 10 years
$59,115
Payback
6.5 yrs

Option B New London, CT

Connecticut College

Net price / year
$36,175
Earnings, 10 years
$75,001
Payback
5.4 yrs
The verdict

Connecticut College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $144,700 in 5.4 years versus 6.5 years at Western Connecticut State University, on median earnings of $75,001 vs $59,115 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureWestern Connecticut State UniversityConnecticut College
Net price / yr$17,604$36,175
Total net cost$70,416$144,700
Median earnings, 10 yrs$59,115$75,001
Median debt$24,147$23,500
Payback6.5 yrs5.4 yrs
20-year net return$144,684$388,120

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

The short answer

Which is cheaper, Western Connecticut State University or Connecticut College?

Western Connecticut State University, at $17,604 a year after aid versus $36,175 — a gap of $18,571 a year, or $74,284 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 Western Connecticut State University or Connecticut College graduates earn more?

Connecticut College graduates report a median $75,001 ten years after entry, $15,886 more than the $59,115 at Western Connecticut State University. 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, Western Connecticut State University or Connecticut College?

Connecticut College: its completers carry a median $23,500 in federal loans versus $24,147 at Western Connecticut State University, a difference of $647. 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?

82% of students finish at Connecticut College, against 52% at Western Connecticut State University. 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.

Western Connecticut State University vs Connecticut College: frequently asked questions

Is Western Connecticut State University or Connecticut College a better value?
Connecticut College. It clears its $144,700 net cost in about 5.4 years versus 6.5 years at Western Connecticut State University, on median earnings of $75,001 vs $59,115 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Western Connecticut State University or Connecticut College?
Western Connecticut State University: $17,604/yr net price after aid versus $36,175/yr at Connecticut College — a difference of $18,571 a year, or about $74,284 over four years.
Do Western Connecticut State University or Connecticut College graduates earn more?
Connecticut College graduates earn a median $75,001 ten years after entry, versus $59,115 at Western Connecticut State University — a $15,886 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.