Head-to-Head Comparison
Case Western Reserve University vs University of Connecticut
- Case Western Wins
- 20
- Tied
- 12
- Connecticut Wins
- 22
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Connecticut offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Case Western Reserve University achieves a higher graduation rate (87% vs 84%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $41,190 compared to University of Connecticut's $25,097 for in-state paths. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, University of Connecticut's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Case Western
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $87,989 ten years after enrollment, 19% more than University of Connecticut
- Higher grad rate: 87% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.8%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- More selective: Admits 37% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #65
Connecticut
- Lower cost: Average net price of $25,097, roughly $16,093 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $21,500, the lower of the two
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Case Western graduates concentrate in Engineering (23% of degrees); Connecticut in Social Sciences (13%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Case Western Reserve University over University of Connecticut. Median earnings of $87,989 ten years after enrollment vs $73,997.
Pick University of Connecticut over Case Western Reserve University. Net price $25,097 vs $41,190.
Pick Case Western Reserve University over University of Connecticut. THE World Rank #65 vs #251-275.
Pick Case Western Reserve University over University of Connecticut. 1.8% mobility rate vs 1.7%.
Pick Case Western Reserve University over University of Connecticut. 87% completion rate vs 84%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Case Western Reserve University and University of Connecticut are close on paper, but Case Western Reserve University wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Case Western Reserve University is the harder admit. It takes 37% of applicants, while University of Connecticut takes 52%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,513 to 1,348.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Case Western Reserve University sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, University of Connecticut comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $25,097, about $16,093 a year below Case Western Reserve University's $41,190. Graduates of University of Connecticut also borrow less: median debt of $21,500, against $24,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $64,372 before any change in aid. Choosing University of Connecticut leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Case Western Reserve University graduates report median earnings of $87,989, compared with $73,997 at University of Connecticut. That is a 19% advantage. Set against borrowing, Case Western Reserve University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.27x to 0.29x.
So what: An earnings gap of 19% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
Case Western Reserve University graduates a larger share of its students, 87% versus 84%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 4% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Moving people up
Case Western Reserve University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.8%; at University of Connecticut, it is 1.7%. University of Connecticut also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 3.7% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 3.3%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Case Western Reserve University offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Research standing
In the Times Higher Education world table, Case Western Reserve University sits higher, at #65 versus #251.
So what: Research rank matters most for students headed to graduate school or hoping to work in faculty labs. For undergraduates going straight into the job market, it is a weak predictor of earnings.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick University of Connecticut to keep costs and debt down; pick Case Western Reserve University for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. University of Connecticut saves about $16,093 a year, yet Case Western Reserve University graduates earn $13,992 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. Case Western Reserve University concentrates enrollment in Engineering, Biology & Biomedical, Computer Science & IT, while University of Connecticut leans toward Social Sciences, Health Professions, Business & Marketing. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $41,190 runs well above University of Connecticut's $25,097.
- Engineering-focused students: Case Western Reserve University has the stronger engineering programs.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of Connecticut's enrollment of 19,835 far exceeds Case Western Reserve University's 6,437.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Connecticut holds onto its admits more tightly: 15% of admitted students enroll, versus 12% at Case Western — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Test scores matter less at Connecticut, where only about 41% of enrolled freshmen submitted any SAT or ACT.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH · Private nonprofit
With an enrollment of nearly 6,500 students and a 37% acceptance rate, Case Western Reserve University attracts those who are serious about their education and future. Here, students dive into strong programs in Engineering, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Computer Science, and Business. The 87% graduation rate speaks volumes about the supportive environment that enables students to succeed academically and professionally.
Looking ahead, the earning potential for graduates is promising, with a ten-year median income of about $87,989. That’s a significant number, especially when we think about what it means for students entering the workforce. It’s not just about the degree but also how well it translates into financial stability and career advancement. While the school has an 18% Pell Grant rate, indicating that some students come from lower-income backgrounds, the return on investment seems solid based on those earnings.
When considering the financial aspects, the net price after aid hovers around $41,190, which can feel daunting. However, the median debt for graduates is $24,000, suggesting that many students manage to graduate with a reasonable debt load. Those who thrive at Case Western tend to be motivated, goal-oriented individuals who are ready to engage deeply with their studies and take advantage of the university's resources. This school seems like a good fit for students who are prepared to dive into a challenging academic environment while keeping an eye on their future careers.
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT · Public
More than 19,800 students call the University of Connecticut home, making it one of the largest public universities in New England. With an acceptance rate of 52%, it balances accessibility and selectivity, welcoming a diverse range of students to its Storrs campus.
Graduates from UConn see a strong return on investment, with a median earnings figure of $73,997 ten years after graduation. Although specific mobility rates are not available, the high graduation rate of 84% suggests that the majority of students successfully complete their degrees, which is a strong indicator of positive outcomes for those who enroll.
Attending UConn costs an average net price of $25,097, while 25% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a commitment to helping lower-income students access higher education. With a median debt of $21,500, graduates leave with manageable financial burdens. Students thrive in programs like Business & Marketing, Health Professions, and Engineering, where strong career paths are prevalent.
Rankings They Appear On
Case Western Reserve University is featured on the Best Online Colleges in Ohio ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Case Western's top program is Mechanical Engineering (23% of enrollment), while Connecticut leads with Sociology (13%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Case Western) and Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Connecticut).
The two schools feed different job markets. Case Western Reserve University is strongest in Biology & Biomedical, Computer Science & IT, while University of Connecticut concentrates in Social Sciences, Business & Marketing. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Case Western Reserve University or University of Connecticut?
Case Western Reserve University is harder to get into, admitting 37% of applicants compared with 52% at University of Connecticut.
Which is more affordable, Case Western Reserve University or University of Connecticut?
University of Connecticut is more affordable, with an average net price of $25,097 after aid versus $41,190 at Case Western Reserve University.
Do Case Western Reserve University or University of Connecticut graduates earn more?
Case Western Reserve University graduates earn more: median earnings of $87,989 ten years after enrollment, versus $73,997 at University of Connecticut.
Which has a better graduation rate, Case Western Reserve University or University of Connecticut?
Case Western Reserve University has the higher graduation rate, 87% versus 84%.
Case Western Reserve University vs University of Connecticut: which is better for social mobility?
Case Western Reserve University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.8% versus 1.7%.
Should you choose Case Western Reserve University or University of Connecticut?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of Connecticut if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Case Western Reserve University if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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