Head-to-head · 2026
Trinity College vs Wesleyan University
Compare average net price ($34,832 at Trinity College; $30,177 at Wesleyan University), ROI score (6.52 vs 6.12), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($90,779 vs $73,897), and admissions selectivity (29.3% acceptance at Trinity College; 16.5% at Wesleyan University) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Trinity College | Wesleyan University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 6.52 ✓ | 6.12 |
| Avg net price | $34,832 | $30,177 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $139,328 | $120,708 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $70,770 | $70,342 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $70,770 | $70,342 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $90,779 ✓ | $73,897 |
| Acceptance rate | 29.3% | 16.5% |
| Graduation rate | 83.8% | 92.6% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 90% | 94.9% ✓ |
| Median debt | $23,000 | $17,000 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 2,146 | 3,067 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | 1415 | 1501 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Trinity College | Wesleyan University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $11,054 | $4,871 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $13,599 | $3,604 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $18,325 | $6,175 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $24,369 | $17,294 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $48,515 ✓ | $51,140 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Trinity College | Wesleyan University |
|---|---|---|
| Economics | 15.8% | 8.8% |
| Political Science and Government | 11.2% | 7.5% |
| Psychology, General | 6.3% | 11.7% |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | 5.1% | 5% |
| English Language and Literature, General | 4% | 5.6% |
| Area Studies | 2.7% | 6.2% |
| Biology, General | 3.3% | 3.4% |
| Mathematics | 2.7% | 3.6% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Wesleyan University reports the lower average net price by $4,655 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $18,620 difference over four years ($120,708 vs $139,328).
Trinity College reports $16,882 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($90,779 vs $73,897). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 90% at Trinity College and 94.9% at Wesleyan University. Median federal debt among completers is $23,000 vs $17,000, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Trinity College vs Wesleyan University, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Wesleyan University is cheaper — average net price $30,177 per year vs $34,832 at Trinity College. The annual difference of $4,655 adds up to about $18,620 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Trinity College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $90,779 vs $73,897 at Wesleyan University. The gap in the federal data is $16,882. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Wesleyan University is more selective at 16.5% acceptance vs 29.3% at Trinity College.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.