Head-to-Head Comparison
Trinity College vs Washington University in St Louis
- Trinity Wins
- 6
- Tied
- 19
- Washington St Wins
- 29
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Washington University in St Louis offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $21,786 vs Trinity College's $34,832, Washington University in St Louis delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Washington University in St Louis'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
Trinity
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $90,779 ten years after enrollment, 5% more than Washington University in St Louis
Washington St
- Lower cost: Average net price of $21,786, roughly $13,046 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 94% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $17,500, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 12% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Trinity graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (38% of degrees); Washington St in Engineering (14%). 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 Washington University in St Louis. Median earnings of $90,779 ten years after enrollment vs $86,182.
Pick Washington University in St Louis over Trinity College. Net price $21,786 vs $34,832.
Pick Washington University in St Louis over Trinity College. 94% completion rate vs 83%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Trinity College and Washington University in St Louis are close on paper, but Washington University in St Louis 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
Washington University in St Louis is the harder admit. It takes 12% of applicants, while Trinity College takes 29%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,415 to 1,530.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Washington University in St Louis 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, Washington University in St Louis comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $21,786, about $13,046 a year below Trinity College's $34,832. Graduates of Washington University in St Louis also borrow less: median debt of $17,500, against $23,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $52,184 before any change in aid. Choosing Washington University in St Louis 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 $86,182 at Washington University in St Louis. That is a 5% advantage. Set against borrowing, Washington University in St Louis has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.2x to 0.25x.
So what: An earnings gap of 5% 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
Washington University in St Louis graduates a larger share of its students, 94% 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 Washington University in St Louis 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. Washington University in St Louis saves about $13,046 a year, yet Trinity College graduates earn $4,597 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. Trinity College concentrates enrollment in Psychology, while Washington University in St Louis leans toward Engineering. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $34,832 runs well above Washington University in St Louis's $21,786.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $23,000, against $17,500 at Washington University in St Louis.
- Engineering-focused students: Washington University in St Louis has the stronger engineering programs.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Washington University in St Louis's enrollment of 7,857 far exceeds Trinity College's 2,146.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Washington St offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Trinity does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there. 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) 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
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.
Washington University in St Louis
St. Louis, MO · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 12%, Washington University in St. Louis attracts driven students looking for a rigorous academic environment. It’s a great fit for those interested in fields like engineering, biology, social sciences, computer science, and business. The graduation rate of 94% reflects a supportive community that helps students succeed and achieve their goals.
Life after graduation looks promising, with alumni reporting an average earnings of $86,182 ten years out. This figure highlights the potential for financial stability in a variety of career paths. While nearly 18% of students receive Pell Grants, the school’s commitment to affordability helps ensure that students from different economic backgrounds can thrive.
On the financial side, the net price after aid stands at $21,786, and the median debt for graduates is $17,500. This manageable debt load suggests that students here often leave school with a solid foundation for their financial futures. Those who tend to thrive are often self-motivated and eager to engage deeply with their studies and the campus community.
Rankings They Appear On
Washington University in St Louis is featured on the Best Colleges in Missouri ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Trinity's top program is Sociology (38% of enrollment), while Washington St leads with Mechanical Engineering (14%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Trinity) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Washington St).
The two schools feed different job markets. Trinity College is strongest in Psychology, Computer Science & IT, while Washington University in St Louis concentrates in Engineering, 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 Trinity College or Washington University in St Louis?
Washington University in St Louis is harder to get into, admitting 12% of applicants compared with 29% at Trinity College.
Which is more affordable, Trinity College or Washington University in St Louis?
Washington University in St Louis is more affordable, with an average net price of $21,786 after aid versus $34,832 at Trinity College.
Do Trinity College or Washington University in St Louis graduates earn more?
Trinity College graduates earn more: median earnings of $90,779 ten years after enrollment, versus $86,182 at Washington University in St Louis.
Which has a better graduation rate, Trinity College or Washington University in St Louis?
Washington University in St Louis has the higher graduation rate, 94% versus 83%.
Should you choose Trinity College or Washington University in St Louis?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Washington University in St Louis 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.
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