Head-to-Head Comparison
University of Connecticut vs University of San Francisco
- Connecticut Wins
- 24
- Tied
- 11
- San Francisco Wins
- 19
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Connecticut offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $25,097 vs University of San Francisco's $41,431, 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.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Connecticut
- Lower cost: Average net price of $25,097, roughly $16,334 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
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #251-275
San Francisco
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $89,812 ten years after enrollment, 21% more than University of Connecticut
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.7%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Connecticut graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (13% of degrees); San Francisco in Business & Marketing (18%). 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 University of San Francisco over University of Connecticut. Median earnings of $89,812 ten years after enrollment vs $73,997.
Pick University of Connecticut over University of San Francisco. Net price $25,097 vs $41,431.
Pick University of Connecticut over University of San Francisco. THE World Rank #251-275 vs #401-500.
Pick University of San Francisco over University of Connecticut. 2.7% mobility rate vs 1.7%.
Pick University of Connecticut over University of San Francisco. 84% completion rate vs 71%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
University of Connecticut and University of San Francisco 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 University of San Francisco takes 62%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,348 to 1,295.
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 $16,334 a year below University of San Francisco's $41,431. Graduates of University of Connecticut also borrow less: median debt of $21,500, against $23,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $65,336 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, University of San Francisco graduates report median earnings of $89,812, compared with $73,997 at University of Connecticut. That is a 21% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of San Francisco has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.26x to 0.29x.
So what: An earnings gap of 21% 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 71%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 13% 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
University of San Francisco does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.7%; at University of Connecticut, it is 1.7%. University of San Francisco also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 5.9% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 3.7%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, University of San Francisco 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, University of Connecticut sits higher, at #251 versus #401.
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 University of San Francisco 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 $16,334 a year, yet University of San Francisco graduates earn $15,815 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
University of Connecticut is harder to get into, with a 52% admit rate, but University of San Francisco posts the higher mobility rate, at 2.7%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Research prestige does not track graduate pay in this pairing. University of Connecticut ranks higher globally (#251-275 vs #401-500), but University of San Francisco alumni out-earn theirs ten years after enrollment. For undergraduates outside research careers, the rank is the weaker guide.
Their academic identities diverge. University of Connecticut concentrates enrollment in Social Sciences, while University of San Francisco leans toward Psychology. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Business and consulting-track students: University of Connecticut has less business program depth, and University of San Francisco offers the stronger options.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of Connecticut's enrollment of 19,835 far exceeds University of San Francisco's 5,287.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $41,431 runs well above University of Connecticut's $25,097.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Connecticut holds onto its admits more tightly: 15% of admitted students enroll, versus 6% at San Francisco — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices.
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
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.
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA · Private nonprofit
Students at the University of San Francisco can expect to earn an average of $89,812 within ten years of graduation. This strong earning potential reflects the university's focus on practical skills and career readiness. With an acceptance rate of 62%, the university maintains a balance of accessibility and selectivity.
The Chetty/Opportunity Insights data is not available for this institution, but the outcomes for graduates suggest a solid return on investment. The graduation rate stands at 71%, indicating that a significant majority of students complete their degrees. This completion rate, combined with the potential earnings, points to a pathway for upward mobility.
Tuition at the University of San Francisco has a net price of $41,431, which is a notable consideration for prospective students. Graduates carry a median debt of $23,000, which is relatively manageable compared to national averages. Students who thrive here often pursue programs in Business, Health Professions, and Social Sciences, aligning their education with market demand and job opportunities.
Rankings They Appear On
University of Connecticut is featured on the Best Communications Colleges in Connecticut ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Connecticut's top program is Sociology (13% of enrollment), while San Francisco leads with Business Administration (18%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Connecticut) and Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for San Francisco).
The two schools feed different job markets. University of Connecticut is strongest in Engineering, while University of San Francisco concentrates in Psychology. 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.
Connecticut
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into University of Connecticut or University of San Francisco?
University of Connecticut is harder to get into, admitting 52% of applicants compared with 62% at University of San Francisco.
Which is more affordable, University of Connecticut or University of San Francisco?
University of Connecticut is more affordable, with an average net price of $25,097 after aid versus $41,431 at University of San Francisco.
Do University of Connecticut or University of San Francisco graduates earn more?
University of San Francisco graduates earn more: median earnings of $89,812 ten years after enrollment, versus $73,997 at University of Connecticut.
Which has a better graduation rate, University of Connecticut or University of San Francisco?
University of Connecticut has the higher graduation rate, 84% versus 71%.
University of Connecticut vs University of San Francisco: which is better for social mobility?
University of San Francisco is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.7% versus 1.7%.
Should you choose University of Connecticut or University of San Francisco?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of Connecticut if affordability and lower debt come first; choose University of San Francisco 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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