Head-to-head · 2026
Trinity College vs Yale University
Compare average net price ($34,832 at Trinity College; $23,777 at Yale University), ROI score (6.52 vs 10.57), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($90,779 vs $100,533), and admissions selectivity (29.3% acceptance at Trinity College; 3.9% at Yale 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 | Yale University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 6.52 | 10.57 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $34,832 | $23,777 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $139,328 | $95,108 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $70,770 | $67,250 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $70,770 | $67,250 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $90,779 | $100,533 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 29.3% | 3.9% |
| Graduation rate | 83.8% | 95.7% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 90% | 98.8% ✓ |
| Median debt | $23,000 | $12,975 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 2,146 | 6,758 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | 1415 | 1534 |
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 | Yale University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $11,054 ✓ | $17,633 |
| Family income $30–48k | $13,599 ✓ | $15,626 |
| Family income $48–75k | $18,325 | $17,943 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $24,369 | $12,558 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $48,515 | $45,951 ✓ |
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 | Yale University |
|---|---|---|
| Economics | 15.8% | 5.3% |
| Political Science and Government | 11.2% | 3.1% |
| Public Policy Analysis | 6.8% | 0.6% |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | 5.1% | 2.2% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 2.3% | 3.8% |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 1.7% | 4.3% |
| English Language and Literature, General | 4% | 1.4% |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | 3.5% | 1.4% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Yale University reports the lower average net price by $11,055 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $44,220 difference over four years ($95,108 vs $139,328).
Yale University reports $9,754 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($100,533 vs $90,779). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 90% at Trinity College and 98.8% at Yale University. Median federal debt among completers is $23,000 vs $12,975, 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.
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Frequently asked
Trinity College vs Yale University, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Yale University is cheaper — average net price $23,777 per year vs $34,832 at Trinity College. The annual difference of $11,055 adds up to about $44,220 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Yale University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $100,533 vs $90,779 at Trinity College. The gap in the federal data is $9,754. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Yale University is more selective at 3.9% 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.