Head-to-Head Comparison
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia vs University of Connecticut
- Saint Joseph's Wins
- 10
- Tied
- 20
- Connecticut Wins
- 22
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Connecticut offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $25,097 vs Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia's $29,689, University of Connecticut delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. 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.
52 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Saint Joseph's
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $86,881 ten years after enrollment, 17% more than University of Connecticut
Connecticut
- Lower cost: Average net price of $25,097, roughly $4,592 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 84% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $21,500, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 52% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Saint Joseph's graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (39% 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 Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia over University of Connecticut. Median earnings of $86,881 ten years after enrollment vs $73,997.
Pick University of Connecticut over Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia. Net price $25,097 vs $29,689.
Pick University of Connecticut over Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia. 84% completion rate vs 79%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia and University of Connecticut are close on paper, but University of Connecticut 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
University of Connecticut is the harder admit. It takes 52% of applicants, while Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia takes 89%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,258 to 1,348.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, University of Connecticut 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 $4,592 a year below Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia's $29,689. Graduates of University of Connecticut also borrow less: median debt of $21,500, against $25,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $18,368 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, Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia graduates report median earnings of $86,881, compared with $73,997 at University of Connecticut. That is a 17% advantage.
So what: An earnings gap of 17% 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
University of Connecticut graduates a larger share of its students, 84% versus 79%. 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.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick University of Connecticut to keep costs and debt down; pick Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia 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. University of Connecticut saves about $4,592 a year, yet Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia graduates earn $12,884 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. Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia concentrates enrollment in Biology & Biomedical, while University of Connecticut leans toward Social Sciences. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $29,689 runs well above University of Connecticut's $25,097.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $25,500, against $21,500 at University of Connecticut.
- Business and consulting-track students: University of Connecticut has less business program depth, and Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia offers the stronger options.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of Connecticut's enrollment of 19,835 far exceeds Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia's 4,948.
Full Data Breakdown
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
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofit
With an enrollment of nearly 5,000 students, Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia is a welcoming space for those looking to balance solid academics with a vibrant campus life. The acceptance rate of 89% suggests that we can expect a diverse group of students, many of whom are drawn to popular programs in Business and Marketing, Health Professions, Biology, Education, and Social Sciences. This mix means you'll find a community where collaboration and support thrive, making it a good fit if you're looking to dive deep into any of these fields.
Looking ahead, graduates from Saint Joseph's can anticipate a promising financial future. On average, alumni earn about $86,881 a decade after completing their studies, which is a solid return on investment considering the cost of education. Affordability is also a key factor here; the net price after aid stands at $29,689, and while some students do take on debt, with a median of $25,500, the earnings potential can help ease that burden for many.
In practical terms, students who tend to thrive at Saint Joseph's often embrace the collaborative atmosphere and are eager to engage with the community. The university supports a range of financial aid options, though it's worth noting that only 20% of students receive Pell Grants, meaning there’s a diverse economic mix on campus. This environment can be especially beneficial for those who are proactive about their education and seek to leverage the school's resources to create their own opportunities.
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
University of Connecticut is featured on the Best Communications Colleges in Connecticut ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Saint Joseph's's top program is Business Administration (39% of enrollment), while Connecticut leads with Sociology (13%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Saint Joseph's) and Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Connecticut).
The two schools feed different job markets. Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia is strongest in Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, while University of Connecticut concentrates in Social Sciences, Engineering. 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.
Saint Joseph's
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia or University of Connecticut?
University of Connecticut is harder to get into, admitting 52% of applicants compared with 89% at Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia.
Which is more affordable, Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia or University of Connecticut?
University of Connecticut is more affordable, with an average net price of $25,097 after aid versus $29,689 at Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia.
Do Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia or University of Connecticut graduates earn more?
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia graduates earn more: median earnings of $86,881 ten years after enrollment, versus $73,997 at University of Connecticut.
Which has a better graduation rate, Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia or University of Connecticut?
University of Connecticut has the higher graduation rate, 84% versus 79%.
Should you choose Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia or University of Connecticut?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of Connecticut if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia 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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