Southern Connecticut State University delivers return performance at the 53.3rd percentile, ranking around the national average for return on investment. However, the institution excels in generating earnings that exceed expectations, with graduates earning $6,107 beyond what would be predicted based on student demographics and institutional characteristics, placing it at the 77.3rd percentile nationally with well above average performance. Median earnings of $55,043 exceed the peer median by $4,927 annually, while debt levels remain comparable at $22,250 versus a peer median of $21,105. This creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40, indicating sustainable borrowing relative to income potential. The combination of earnings that exceed expectations with moderate debt levels supports long-term financial stability for graduates, even though overall return metrics place the university at typical performance levels relative to national benchmarks for return on educational investment.
Southern Connecticut State University graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth over time, with median earnings rising from $45,422 six years after enrollment to $51,736 at eight years and $55,043 at ten years, representing 21.2% growth from the six-year mark. These outcomes are based on cohorts of 342 graduates at six years, 417 at eight years, and 395 at ten years, providing solid confidence in the reported figures across multiple graduation classes. Graduates earn $6,107 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Southern Connecticut State University at the 77.3rd percentile for earnings uplift and indicating well above average performance. This earnings beyond expectations metric demonstrates the university's effectiveness in generating outcomes that exceed what would be predicted based on student demographics and institutional characteristics. Low-income graduates earn $45,800, showing the university's ability to support economic advancement for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The earnings distribution spans from $38,356 to $78,130, with the gap reflecting differences in program choice and career trajectory rather than extreme inequality. Approximately 27.4% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education pathways.
Latest FE earnings field: 10-year
Lower quartile, 10-year field
Upper quartile, 10-year field
The earnings distribution at Southern Connecticut State University spans from $38,356 at the 25th percentile to $78,130 at the 75th percentile, creating a 2.0:1 ratio that indicates reasonable variation without extreme inequality. Low-income graduates earn $45,800, demonstrating the university's effectiveness in supporting economic advancement for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. This earnings spread reflects the comprehensive nature of program offerings while showing that mobility outcomes remain accessible across different academic paths and career trajectories.
Earnings outcomes at Southern Connecticut State University show meaningful but manageable variation across programs and career paths. The gap between the 25th percentile ($38,356) and 75th percentile ($78,130) represents a 2.0:1 ratio, indicating reasonable spread without extreme disparities in post-graduation outcomes. This distribution reflects the comprehensive nature of the university's program offerings, from liberal arts fields to health professions. Adult Health Nurse/Nursing graduates earn the highest median of $85,751, while Artificial Intelligence graduates earn $72,091, and Audiology/Speech-Language Pathology graduates earn $63,643. At the other end, English Language and Literature graduates earn $32,697, reflecting the varied career trajectories across disciplines. Earnings demonstrate steady growth from early to mid-career, increasing by 21.2% between the six-year and ten-year measurement points. With cohorts ranging from 342 to 417 graduates across different time horizons, these figures represent outcomes across the university's broad academic portfolio rather than isolated high-earning specializations.
Financial justification for the investment.
The earnings distribution at Southern Connecticut State University spans from $38,356 at the 25th percentile to $78,130 at the 75th percentile, creating a 2.0:1 ratio that indicates reasonable variation without extreme inequality. Low-income graduates earn $45,800, demonstrating the university's effectiveness in supporting economic advancement for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. This earnings spread reflects the comprehensive nature of program offerings while showing that mobility outcomes remain accessible across different academic paths and career trajectories.
Approximately 27.4% of Southern Connecticut State University graduates continue to graduate or professional study, with medium confidence in this estimate based on program mix analysis. This continuation rate indicates balanced preparation for both immediate workforce entry and advanced education pathways.
Program mix and student pathways explain much of the earnings story.
Program-level earnings demonstrate Southern Connecticut State University's particular strengths in health professions and specialized vocational preparation. Adult Health Nurse/Nursing graduates earn $85,751, while Audiology/Speech-Language Pathology graduates earn $63,643, and Artificial Intelligence graduates earn $72,091. These high-earning programs contrast with more moderate outcomes in fields like English Language and Literature ($32,697) and General Studies ($41,609), reflecting typical variation between professional and liberal arts preparation. Business Administration and Management, the university's largest program with 252 graduates, produces solid middle-class earnings of $58,197. The diversity of program outcomes allows students to choose pathways that align with their career goals and earning expectations, from high-return health professions to broader liberal arts preparation that supports various post-graduation directions including graduate study and public service careers.
See which programs drive the strongest earnings and career trajectories
