Head-to-Head Comparison
Loyola University Maryland vs Trinity College
- Loyola Maryland Wins
- 16
- Tied
- 16
- Trinity Wins
- 18
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Loyola University Maryland offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Trinity College achieves a higher graduation rate (83% vs 80%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $34,832 compared to Loyola University Maryland's $30,574. Students who choose Loyola University Maryland benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $82,652 at ten years.
50 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Loyola Maryland
- Lower cost: Average net price of $30,574, roughly $4,258 a year less
Trinity
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $90,779 ten years after enrollment, 10% more than Loyola University Maryland
- Higher grad rate: 83% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $23,000, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 29% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Loyola Maryland graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (32% 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 Trinity College over Loyola University Maryland. Median earnings of $90,779 ten years after enrollment vs $82,652.
Pick Loyola University Maryland over Trinity College. Net price $30,574 vs $34,832.
Pick Trinity College over Loyola University Maryland. 83% completion rate vs 80%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Loyola University Maryland and Trinity College are close on paper, but Trinity College 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
Trinity College is the harder admit. It takes 29% of applicants, while Loyola University Maryland takes 75%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,290 to 1,415.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Trinity College 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, Loyola University Maryland comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $30,574, about $4,258 a year below Trinity College's $34,832. Graduates of Trinity College also borrow less: median debt of $23,000, against $27,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $17,032 before any change in aid. Choosing Loyola University Maryland leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Trinity College graduates report median earnings of $90,779, compared with $82,652 at Loyola University Maryland. That is a 10% advantage. Set against borrowing, Trinity College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.25x to 0.33x.
So what: An earnings gap of 10% 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
Trinity College graduates a larger share of its students, 83% versus 80%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 3% 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 Loyola University Maryland to keep costs and debt down; pick Trinity College 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. Loyola University Maryland saves about $4,258 a year, yet Trinity College graduates earn $8,127 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. Loyola University Maryland concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, while Trinity College leans toward Biology & Biomedical. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $27,000, against $23,000 at Trinity College.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Loyola University Maryland's enrollment of 3,869 far exceeds Trinity College's 2,146.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $34,832 runs well above Loyola University Maryland's $30,574.
- Business and consulting-track students: Trinity College has less business program depth, and Loyola University Maryland offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Loyola Maryland offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Trinity does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there.
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
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Loyola University Maryland
Baltimore, MD · Private nonprofit
With an enrollment of nearly 3,900 students, Loyola University Maryland caters to those seeking a well-rounded education in a supportive environment. The 75% acceptance rate suggests that the school aims to welcome a diverse group of students, which contributes to a vibrant campus life. Popular areas of study include Business and Marketing, Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Psychology, Communications, and Social Sciences, allowing students to explore various fields while preparing for their careers.
After graduation, students can expect a solid financial outlook, with a median earnings figure of $82,652 after ten years. This is encouraging and indicates that many graduates find good opportunities in their chosen fields. The affordability factor is also important; with a net price of $30,574, students can weigh the cost of their education against potential earnings, making it a reasonable investment for many.
When considering the practical aspects of attending Loyola, the average debt load of $27,000 is relatively manageable, especially given the earnings potential. The school attracts a mix of students, including those who are determined to succeed and take advantage of the supportive community. With a graduation rate of 80%, it’s clear that many students find their footing here and go on to thrive in their careers.
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
Loyola University Maryland is featured on the Best Business Colleges in Maryland ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Loyola Maryland's top program is Business Administration (32% of enrollment), while Trinity leads with Sociology (38%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Loyola Maryland) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Trinity).
The two schools feed different job markets. Loyola University Maryland is strongest in Business & Marketing, while Trinity College concentrates in Biology & Biomedical. 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 Loyola University Maryland or Trinity College?
Trinity College is harder to get into, admitting 29% of applicants compared with 75% at Loyola University Maryland.
Which is more affordable, Loyola University Maryland or Trinity College?
Loyola University Maryland is more affordable, with an average net price of $30,574 after aid versus $34,832 at Trinity College.
Do Loyola University Maryland or Trinity College graduates earn more?
Trinity College graduates earn more: median earnings of $90,779 ten years after enrollment, versus $82,652 at Loyola University Maryland.
Which has a better graduation rate, Loyola University Maryland or Trinity College?
Trinity College has the higher graduation rate, 83% versus 80%.
Should you choose Loyola University Maryland or Trinity College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Loyola University Maryland if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Trinity College 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.
More Comparisons
View all →Weigh Your Options
Best Colleges in America
How do Loyola Maryland and Trinity stack up against regional and national alternatives when evaluated on pure socioeconomic mobility, graduate earnings, and long-term return on investment? Explore the full, verified dataset on our comprehensive rankings directory.
