Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Trinity College #501 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn in the 82.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions, earn about $7,713 more than similar students at comparable institutions. Azimuth ranks Trinity College #91 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Trinity College #501 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 66.1 percentile for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private baccalaureate college in Hartford, Connecticut, Trinity College enrolls roughly 2,146 undergraduates. Retention is 90.0% and the six-year graduation rate is 83.8%, reflecting solid conversion of enrollment into degree completion. Trinity College draws strength from access and mobility. 13.8% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 17.8% are first-generation college students, positioning the institution as a meaningful access point for lower-income families. Azimuth ranks Trinity College #91 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 93.9 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $83,645, placing Trinity College in the 87.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $7,713 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Trinity College in the 82.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. As a social-sciences-focused institution, Trinity College emphasizes the liberal arts tradition while preparing students for careers in business, education, public service, and related fields. The college's size and residential character support close faculty engagement and mentorship, factors that contribute to the institution's solid outcomes for low-income and first-generation graduates. Affordability and access sit as anchors in the composite, reflecting both the institution's commitment to serving students across income levels and the pricing realities of private higher education.
Trinity College's published cost of attendance is $87,840. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $11,054, middle-income families pay around $18,325, and higher-income families pay approximately $48,515. Azimuth ranks Trinity College #1329 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Trinity College's aid structure is need-based, with families applying through the FAFSA and CSS Profile. The college participates in federal need-based aid programs and institutional grants to help close the gap between published cost and what families actually pay. The spread across income bands reflects the institution's commitment to meeting demonstrated financial need, though the specific aid policies and availability of merit scholarships should be confirmed directly with the college's financial aid office. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $23,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $60,796; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $83,645, median federal debt of $23,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $260 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Trinity College is a strong fit for students drawn to the social sciences and humanities who want a private liberal arts college experience in Hartford, CT. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $83,645, placing Trinity College in the 87.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $7,713 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 82.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The aid structure is need-based, with 13.8% of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants and 17.8% being first-generation students. Low-income graduates earn in the 92.3 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions — a historical 10-year Scorecard measure. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 29.2% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors Social Sciences fields (39% of degrees). Students whose interests align with these areas will find strong outcomes relative to Connecticut's no-degree baseline of $34,809.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
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This is the Trinity College hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Trinity College's published cost of attendance is $87,840. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $11,054, middle-income families pay around $18,325, and higher-income families pay approximately $48,515.
Azimuth ranks Trinity College #1329 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Trinity College's aid structure is need-based, with families applying through the FAFSA and CSS Profile. The college participates in federal need-based aid programs and institutional grants to help close the gap between published cost and what families actually pay.
The spread across income bands reflects the institution's commitment to meeting demonstrated financial need, though the specific aid policies and availability of merit scholarships should be confirmed directly with the college's financial aid office. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $23,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $60,796; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $83,645, median federal debt of $23,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $260 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Trinity College earn median 4-year earnings of $83,645, placing Trinity College in the 87.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $7,713 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Trinity College in the 82.2 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Trinity College #91 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Trinity College's strength in social sciences and related fields.
Economics is the largest program with 119 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $122,068, delivering 1.5x the national benchmark for the field. The Political Science program graduates 84 students earning median 4-year earnings of $94,097, while Psychology, General and Public Policy Analysis round out the institution's core academic portfolio with 47 and 40 graduates respectively.
These programs anchor Trinity College's long-term earnings trajectory and reflect the institution's focus on Social Sciences.
Economics
119 graduates
Political Science and Government
84 graduates
Public Policy Analysis
40 graduates
Area Studies
20 graduates
Psychology, General
47 graduates
Trinity College's program mix reflects its identity as a liberal arts college in the Northeast, with Economics as the largest program at 119 graduates. Other notable programs include Political Science, Psychology, General, Public Policy Analysis, and Engineering.
The highest-earning programs at Trinity College cluster in applied fields and quantitative disciplines. Economics graduates achieve median earnings of $122,068 four years after enrollment, while Political Science graduates earn $94,097.
Public Policy Analysis delivers median earnings of $82,638, and Area Studies graduates earn $73,229. These outcomes reflect the institution's strength in fields where employers recruit actively and early-career wages remain competitive.
The program portfolio balances breadth with depth in the social sciences and humanities. Economics, the largest program, generates median earnings of $122,068 four years after enrollment, while Political Science graduates earn $94,097 and Psychology, General graduates earn $69,730.
Many of these programs represent pathways where graduates continue to graduate or professional school, meaning four-year earnings undercount lifetime trajectory.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Union College Higher acceptance rate (10.3 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 97 miles away; similar graduate earnings | NY | 44% | $88,604 | Compare |
Bryant University Higher acceptance rate (32.1 percentage points higher) and located 60 miles away; similar graduate earnings | RI | 66% | $90,008 | Compare |
Fairfield University Higher acceptance rate (11.5 percentage points higher) and located 50 miles away; similar graduate earnings | CT | 45% | $88,794 | Compare |
George Washington University Higher acceptance rate (10 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | DC | 44% | $90,873 | Compare |
Clarkson University Higher acceptance rate (43.6 percentage points higher); similar graduate earnings | NY | 77% | $89,696 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wesleyan University Similar quality tier in Northeast (#15207 ranked) | CT | 16% | $73,897 | #15207 | Compare |
Azusa Pacific University Similar quality tier (#15227 ranked) | CA | 88% | $66,677 | #15227 | Compare |
Wentworth Institute Of Technology Similar quality tier in Northeast (#15229 ranked) | MA | 91% | $82,721 | #15229 | Compare |
Saint Peter's University Similar quality tier in Northeast (#15199 ranked) | NJ | 90% | $57,815 | #15199 | Compare |
Fresno Pacific University Similar quality tier (#15244 ranked) | CA | 64% | $58,896 | #15244 | Compare |
