Head-to-Head Comparison
Georgetown University vs Trinity College
- Georgetown Wins
- 27
- Tied
- 16
- Trinity Wins
- 9
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Trinity College offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Georgetown University achieves a higher graduation rate (95% vs 83%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $40,815 compared to Trinity College's $34,832 for in-state paths. Students who choose Trinity College benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $90,779 at ten years.
52 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Georgetown
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $103,494 ten years after enrollment, 14% more than Trinity College
- Higher grad rate: 95% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $15,500, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 13% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Trinity
- Lower cost: Average net price of $34,832, roughly $5,983 a year less
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Georgetown graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (36% of degrees); Trinity in Social Sciences (38%). 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 Georgetown University over Trinity College. Median earnings of $103,494 ten years after enrollment vs $90,779.
Pick Trinity College over Georgetown University. Net price $34,832 vs $40,815.
Pick Georgetown University over Trinity College. 95% completion rate vs 83%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Georgetown University and Trinity College are close on paper, but Georgetown 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
Georgetown University is the harder admit. It takes 13% of applicants, while Trinity College takes 29%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,487 to 1,415.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Georgetown 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, Trinity College comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $34,832, about $5,983 a year below Georgetown University's $40,815. Graduates of Georgetown University also borrow less: median debt of $15,500, against $23,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $23,932 before any change in aid. Choosing Trinity College leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Georgetown University graduates report median earnings of $103,494, compared with $90,779 at Trinity College. That is a 14% advantage. Set against borrowing, Georgetown University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.15x to 0.25x.
So what: An earnings gap of 14% 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
Georgetown University graduates a larger share of its students, 95% versus 83%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 11% 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.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Trinity College to keep costs and debt down; pick Georgetown University for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 5 of 6 core signals used here; where one school is missing a figure, that row is left out of the comparison rather than estimated.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Trinity College saves about $5,983 a year, yet Georgetown University graduates earn $12,715 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. Georgetown University concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, Legal Studies, while Trinity College leans toward Biology & Biomedical, Psychology. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $40,815 runs well above Trinity College's $34,832.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Georgetown University's enrollment of 7,569 far exceeds Trinity College's 2,146.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $23,000, against $15,500 at Georgetown University.
- Business and consulting-track students: Trinity College has less business program depth, and Georgetown University offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Test scores matter less at Trinity, where only about 13% 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) 4 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
Georgetown University
Washington, DC · Private nonprofit
Georgetown University has a remarkable graduation rate of 95%, signaling strong student retention and success. This high rate indicates a supportive academic environment where most students complete their degrees on time, an essential factor for those considering their future careers.
According to Chetty/Opportunity Insights data, specific mobility metrics are not available for Georgetown. However, the university's strong academic reputation suggests that graduates may have favorable outcomes in terms of career advancement and income, contributing positively to social mobility over time.
The net price of attendance at Georgetown is $40,815, with a median debt of $15,500 upon graduation. Graduates can expect to earn an average of $103,494 within ten years of completing their degree. Students who thrive here often pursue careers in social sciences, business, law, or health professions, benefiting from the university's strategic location in Washington, DC, which offers ample internship and job opportunities.
Trinity College
Hartford, CT · Private nonprofit
Trinity College has a graduation rate of 83%. This strong figure indicates that most students successfully complete their degrees, reflecting a supportive environment for academic achievement. With an acceptance rate of 29%, the college attracts a competitive pool of applicants, making it a selective option for students.
According to recent data, Trinity College does not have specific metrics reported for mobility or economic connectedness. However, students can expect a solid return on investment, with graduates earning an average of $90,779 within ten years of completing their degree. This suggests that a Trinity education can lead to favorable financial outcomes, particularly for those in high-demand fields like social sciences, biology, and engineering.
The net price for attending Trinity College stands at $34,832, while the median debt among graduates is $23,000. Students who thrive here tend to be ambitious and engaged, seeking a liberal arts education that prepares them for diverse career paths. With a relatively low Pell Grant rate of 14%, the college primarily serves students who are financially stable and ready to invest in their futures.
Rankings They Appear On
Georgetown University and Trinity College appear together in 3 rankings. On the Highest-Paying Colleges for Social Work, Georgetown University ranks #6 — Georgetown University outranks Trinity College by 24 positions.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Sociology as their top enrolled program field, comprising 36% of Georgetown's student body and 38% of Trinity's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Georgetown) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Trinity).
The two schools feed different job markets. Georgetown University is strongest in Business & Marketing, Legal Studies, while Trinity College concentrates in Psychology, Computer Science & IT. 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 Georgetown University or Trinity College?
Georgetown University is harder to get into, admitting 13% of applicants compared with 29% at Trinity College.
Which is more affordable, Georgetown University or Trinity College?
Trinity College is more affordable, with an average net price of $34,832 after aid versus $40,815 at Georgetown University.
Do Georgetown University or Trinity College graduates earn more?
Georgetown University graduates earn more: median earnings of $103,494 ten years after enrollment, versus $90,779 at Trinity College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Georgetown University or Trinity College?
Georgetown University has the higher graduation rate, 95% versus 83%.
Should you choose Georgetown University or Trinity College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Trinity College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Georgetown 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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