Southern Connecticut State University
#9 Most Affordable Colleges in Connecticut- Graduation Rate
- 49% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $55,043 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $20,857 C-
- 22% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 91% D
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 16.8× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $16.8 over 20 years. Ranked #9 in Most Affordable Colleges in Connecticut.
Every $1 spent returns $16.8 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,314,698.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 35% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $16.8 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Southern Connecticut State University Matters
Southern Connecticut State University is a public university in New Haven, CT and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 6,295
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Humanities, Psychology
Why students choose Southern Connecticut State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 91% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $20,857 a year after grants and scholarships — 22% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $55,043 ten years after enrolling — 35% above the typical college, against $22,250 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.5% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 50% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.53 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Southern Connecticut State University has an acceptance rate of 91%. This means that most students who apply will gain admission, making it an accessible choice for many. With an enrollment of 6,295, the campus fosters a close-knit environment, allowing for personal interaction among students and faculty.
In terms of outcomes, Southern Connecticut State University graduates earn a median salary of $55,043 ten years post-graduation. While the graduation rate stands at 49%, this indicates challenges for some students in completing their degrees. The lack of specific mobility data makes it harder to assess how well the school helps low-income students improve their economic standing. However, the significant percentage of Pell Grant recipients (41%) suggests that a substantial number of students come from lower-income backgrounds.
The net price for attending Southern Connecticut State University is $20,857, and the median debt taken on by graduates is $22,250. With these financial figures in mind, students should weigh their potential earnings against their debt load. This school tends to attract those interested in health professions, business, humanities, psychology, and education, making it a suitable option for students focused on these fields.
Rankings
- #9 Most Affordable Colleges in Connecticut
- #9 Best Nursing Colleges in Connecticut
- #11 Best Online Colleges in Connecticut
- #12 Best Communications Colleges in Connecticut
- #13 Best Computer Science Colleges in Connecticut
- #13 Best Data Science Colleges in Connecticut
- #14 Best Business Colleges in Connecticut
- #16 Best Colleges in Connecticut
Can I Get In?
How selective Southern Connecticut State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Southern Connecticut State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Southern Connecticut State University, located in New Haven, Connecticut, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 91%. The graduation rate is roughly 49%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 91%
- Retention Rate
- 78%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 44%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $11,216
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 11:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.71
- First-Gen Students
- 39%
- Applicants
- 8,316
- Admitted
- 6,896
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Southern Connecticut State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Southern Connecticut State University is $27,378, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $20,857. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,736 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,250 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $13,438
- Out-of-State
- $27,378
- Avg Net Price
- $20,857
- Median Debt
- $22,250
- Pell Grant Rate
- 41%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 52%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $17,736
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $18,729
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $19,437
- Family Income $110K+
- $27,809
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Southern Connecticut State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Southern Connecticut State University earn a median of $55,043, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $45,422
- 8 Years
- $51,736
- 10 Years
- $55,043
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.4x
- Earning > $25K
- 70%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (385)
- 30%
- 100% (385)
- 30%
- 100% (385)
- 30%
- 100% (385)
- 30%
How Southern Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Southern Connecticut State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Southern Connecticut State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $20,857/year ($83,428 total). Graduates earn $55,043 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,398,126 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,314,698 (16.8× your investment). The median debt is $22,250, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 49% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $83,428
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,398,126
- Net Return
- $1,314,698
- ROI Multiple
- 16.8×
- Cost Per Year
- $20,857
- Median Debt
- $22,250
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 49%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Southern Connecticut State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Southern Connecticut State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.46%, well above the typical college. About 5.6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 25.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $91,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.46%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 25.9%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 5.6%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $91,300
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $3,731,461
- Investment Income
- $266,450
Top Programs
The fields Southern Connecticut State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Health Professions 22%
- Business & Marketing 13%
- Humanities 9%
- Psychology 9%
- Education 7%
- Social Sciences 6%
- Communications 4%
- Biology & Biomedical 4%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Southern Connecticut State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Southern Connecticut State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Southern Connecticut State University, located in New Haven, Connecticut, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 91%. The graduation rate is roughly 49%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Southern Connecticut State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Southern Connecticut State University is $27,378, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $20,857. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,736 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,250 in federal student loans.
Is Southern Connecticut State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Southern Connecticut State University earn a median of $55,043, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Southern Connecticut State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Southern Connecticut State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.46%, well above the typical college. About 5.6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 25.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $91,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Southern Connecticut State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Southern Connecticut State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.53, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.07). Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Southern Connecticut State University.
- Kutztown University of PennsylvaniaKutztown, PA · Close peer54% grad $53,775 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Millersville University of PennsylvaniaMillersville, PA · Close peer56% grad $55,246 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Houston-Clear LakeHouston, TX · Close peer51% grad $59,004 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- William Paterson University of New JerseyWayne, NJ · Close peer46% grad $57,780 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- East Stroudsburg University of PennsylvaniaEast Stroudsburg, PA · Close peer44% grad $56,148 earn 92% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main CampusIndiana, PA · Close peer54% grad $51,019 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Southern Connecticut State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Southern Connecticut State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.53, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.07). Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note