Head-to-Head Comparison
University of Connecticut vs Villanova University
- Connecticut Wins
- 21
- Tied
- 13
- Villanova Wins
- 20
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Connecticut offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Villanova University achieves a higher graduation rate (92% vs 84%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $43,756 compared to University of Connecticut's $25,097. 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 $18,659 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $21,500, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.7%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Villanova
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $100,423 ten years after enrollment, 36% more than University of Connecticut
- Higher grad rate: 92% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- More selective: Admits 27% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Connecticut graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (13% of degrees); Villanova in Business & Marketing (23%). 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 Villanova University over University of Connecticut. Median earnings of $100,423 ten years after enrollment vs $73,997.
Pick University of Connecticut over Villanova University. Net price $25,097 vs $43,756.
Pick University of Connecticut over Villanova University. 1.7% mobility rate vs 1.3%.
Pick Villanova University over University of Connecticut. 92% completion rate vs 84%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
University of Connecticut and Villanova University split the core measures almost evenly. Neither comes out a clean winner, so the choice rests on which of these dimensions you care about most.
Getting in
Villanova University is the harder admit. It takes 27% of applicants, while University of Connecticut takes 52%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,348 to 1,460.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Villanova 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, University of Connecticut comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $25,097, about $18,659 a year below Villanova University's $43,756. Graduates of University of Connecticut also borrow less: median debt of $21,500, against $25,874.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $74,636 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, Villanova University graduates report median earnings of $100,423, compared with $73,997 at University of Connecticut. That is a 36% advantage. Set against borrowing, Villanova University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.26x to 0.29x.
So what: An earnings gap of 36% 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
Villanova University graduates a larger share of its students, 92% versus 84%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 9% 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 Connecticut does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.7%; at Villanova University, it is 1.3%. University of Connecticut also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 3.7% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2.3%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, University of Connecticut 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.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick University of Connecticut to keep costs and debt down; pick Villanova University 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 $18,659 a year, yet Villanova University graduates earn $26,426 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Villanova University is harder to get into, with a 27% admit rate, but University of Connecticut posts the higher mobility rate, at 1.7%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. University of Connecticut concentrates enrollment in Health Professions, while Villanova University leans toward Engineering. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Engineering-focused students: Villanova University has the stronger engineering programs.
- Business and consulting-track students: University of Connecticut has less business program depth, and Villanova University offers the stronger options.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of Connecticut's enrollment of 19,835 far exceeds Villanova University's 6,938.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $43,756 runs well above University of Connecticut's $25,097.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $25,874, against $21,500 at University of Connecticut.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Villanova holds onto its admits more tightly: 28% of admitted students enroll, versus 15% at Connecticut — 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.
Villanova University
Villanova, PA · Private nonprofit
At Villanova University, students can expect a tight-knit campus environment with an enrollment of just under 7,000. This university is a great fit for those pursuing degrees in Business and Marketing, Engineering, Social Sciences, Health Professions, and Communications. With an acceptance rate of 27%, it attracts motivated students who are ready to engage deeply in their studies and community.
Looking ahead, graduates from Villanova see impressive outcomes. The average earnings a decade after graduation sit at $100,423, which speaks volumes about the value of a Villanova degree in today’s job market. The school's strong graduation rate of 92% indicates that students not only enroll but also complete their degrees, setting them up for success in their chosen fields.
When it comes to the financial side, the net price after financial aid is $43,756, which is important to consider alongside the median debt level of $25,874. This suggests that while the costs can be significant, many students manage to navigate their financial responsibilities effectively. Those who thrive here are often driven, engaged, and ready to leverage the resources Villanova offers to propel their careers forward.
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 Villanova leads with Business Administration (23%).
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 Villanova).
Connecticut
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into University of Connecticut or Villanova University?
Villanova University is harder to get into, admitting 27% of applicants compared with 52% at University of Connecticut.
Which is more affordable, University of Connecticut or Villanova University?
University of Connecticut is more affordable, with an average net price of $25,097 after aid versus $43,756 at Villanova University.
Do University of Connecticut or Villanova University graduates earn more?
Villanova University graduates earn more: median earnings of $100,423 ten years after enrollment, versus $73,997 at University of Connecticut.
Which has a better graduation rate, University of Connecticut or Villanova University?
Villanova University has the higher graduation rate, 92% versus 84%.
University of Connecticut vs Villanova University: which is better for social mobility?
University of Connecticut is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.7% versus 1.3%.
Should you choose University of Connecticut or Villanova University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of Connecticut if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Villanova 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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