Analysis
A Bachelor's in Real Estate from UConn-Hartford comes with an estimated debt load of around $21,000—manageable by most standards—but the earnings picture based on comparable programs nationally suggests this isn't a field where credentials translate to immediate financial returns. Peer real estate programs typically produce first-year earnings in the mid-$50,000s, yielding a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39. That's reasonable but not impressive, especially considering real estate is one of those fields where licensure and sales performance often matter more than the degree itself.
The challenge with real estate education is that it competes directly with the alternative path: skip college entirely, get licensed, and start building a client base and commissions four years earlier. While the degree might provide broader business knowledge and potentially open doors to corporate real estate or property management roles that value credentials, many successful agents thrive without it. For families investing $21,000 in debt, the question becomes whether this particular route offers enough career stability or earning potential to justify the cost versus immediate entry into the field.
If your child is set on real estate specifically and this is their chosen school, understand you're paying for the broader UConn credential and business fundamentals rather than specialized training that dramatically boosts earning power. The relatively low debt helps, but this isn't a program where the degree itself creates a significant financial advantage over alternative paths into the industry.
Where University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all real estate bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Real Estate bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $17,452 | $54,665* | — | $21,353* | — | |
| $68,237 | $98,763* | — | $19,500* | 0.20 | |
| $64,701 | $75,702* | $101,813 | $27,000* | 0.36 | |
| $60,438 | $74,912* | — | $20,500* | 0.27 | |
| $11,205 | $73,239* | $100,995 | $20,500* | 0.28 | |
| $12,859 | $72,769* | $72,701 | $19,000* | 0.26 | |
| National Median | — | $54,665* | — | $21,126* | 0.39 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with real estate graduates
Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers
Real Estate Brokers
Real Estate Sales Agents
Appraisers of Personal and Business Property
Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus, approximately 46% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 28 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.