Best Colleges in Connecticut (2026)
50 colleges ranked by graduate earnings, acceptance rates, and outcomes — powered by federal data from the U.S. Department of Education.
50
Colleges
$57,347
Avg Earnings (10yr)
$24,299
Avg Net Price
66%
Avg Admit Rate
65%
Avg Grad Rate
State Overview
Connecticut is home to 50 colleges and universities, ranging from research universities to community colleges. Yale University leads the state in graduate earnings, with state alumni earning $57,347 on average ten years after enrollment. Whether you're looking for a flagship research university, a liberal arts college, or a career-focused program, Connecticut offers diverse options across all price points.
Quick Facts — Connecticut Colleges
Top 10 Colleges in Connecticut by Graduate Earnings
Ranked by median earnings 10 years after enrollment. Public and private nonprofit only.
Admit
65%
Net Price
$46,174
Grad Rate
73%
Earnings
$75,059
Admit
88%
Net Price
$13,807
Grad Rate
62%
Earnings
$73,997
Admit
88%
Net Price
$16,403
Grad Rate
65%
Earnings
$73,997
Admit
83%
Net Price
$16,798
Grad Rate
57%
Earnings
$73,997
Most Affordable Colleges in Connecticut
Lowest average net price after grants and scholarships. Public and private nonprofit only.
Cromwell, CT
79% grad rate
Waterbury, CT
53% grad rate
Groton, CT
62% grad rate
Popular Majors
Compare the best colleges for top fields of study — ranked by graduate earnings nationwide.
Find your best-fit Connecticut college
Get a personalized report based on your interests, goals, and what matters most to you — in minutes.
Find my Connecticut collegeAll Colleges in Connecticut
All 50 accredited institutions. Click column headers to sort.
| School | City | Type | Admit Rate | Net Price | Grad Rate | Earnings (10yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academy Di Capelli-School of Cosmetology | Wallingford | Private For-Profit | N/A | $12,607 | N/A | N/A |
| Albertus Magnus College | New Haven | Private Nonprofit | 59% | $34,028 | 51% | $60,144 |
| American Institute of Healthcare & Technology | Stratford | Private For-Profit | N/A | $32,821 | N/A | N/A |
| American Institute-West Hartford | West Hartford | Private For-Profit | N/A | $19,316 | N/A | $28,710 |
| Arizona College of Nursing - Hartford | East Hartford | Private For-Profit | 100% | $43,500 | N/A | $34,657 |
| Belle Academy of Cosmetology LLC | Waterbury | Private For-Profit | N/A | $6,638 | N/A | N/A |
| Branford Academy of Hair & Cosmetology | Branford | Private For-Profit | N/A | $4,271 | N/A | N/A |
| Branford Academy of Hair & Cosmetology-Bridgeport | Bridgeport | Private For-Profit | N/A | $30,086 | N/A | N/A |
| Central Connecticut State University | New Britain | Public | 73% | $16,857 | 48% | $58,562 |
| Charter Oak State College | New Britain | Public | N/A | $15,815 | 67% | $64,209 |
| Connecticut College | New London | Private Nonprofit | 37% | $36,175 | 82% | $75,001 |
| Connecticut State Community College | New Britain | Public | N/A | $11,513 | N/A | $41,344 |
| Cortiva Institute | Cromwell | Private For-Profit | N/A | $34,436 | N/A | $34,866 |
| Dolce The Academy | Waterbury | Private For-Profit | N/A | $15,318 | N/A | N/A |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic | Public | 83% | $21,067 | 58% | $56,469 |
| Fairfield University | Fairfield | Private Nonprofit | 33% | $48,095 | 84% | $88,794 |
| Goodwin University | East Hartford | Private Nonprofit | N/A | $29,249 | 58% | $43,596 |
| Holy Apostles College and Seminary | Cromwell | Private Nonprofit | N/A | $10,117 | 79% | N/A |
| Industrial Management Training Institute | Waterbury | Private For-Profit | N/A | $42,758 | N/A | $55,344 |
| International Institute of Cosmetology | Wethersfield | Private For-Profit | N/A | $16,590 | N/A | N/A |
| Lincoln Technical Institute-East Windsor | East Windsor | Private For-Profit | N/A | $27,006 | N/A | $38,683 |
| Lincoln Technical Institute-New Britain | New Britain | Private For-Profit | N/A | $33,240 | N/A | $38,683 |
| Lincoln Technical Institute-Shelton | Shelton | Private For-Profit | N/A | $38,521 | N/A | $38,683 |
| Mitchell College | New London | Private Nonprofit | 95% | $30,260 | 42% | $39,115 |
| New England Tractor Trailer Training School of Connecticut | Somers | Private For-Profit | N/A | $15,284 | N/A | $44,444 |
| New England Tractor Trailer Training School of CT-Bridgeport | Bridgeport | Private For-Profit | N/A | $16,191 | N/A | $44,444 |
| Oxford Academy of Hair Design Inc | Seymour | Private For-Profit | N/A | $11,408 | N/A | N/A |
| Paul Mitchell the School-North Haven | North Haven | Private For-Profit | N/A | $28,813 | N/A | $30,900 |
| Porter & Chester Institute | Bridgeport | Private For-Profit | N/A | $18,348 | N/A | $41,588 |
| Porter & Chester Institute of Hamden | Hamden | Private For-Profit | N/A | $20,549 | N/A | $42,914 |
| Post University | Waterbury | Private For-Profit | N/A | $21,634 | 25% | $38,696 |
| Quinnipiac University | Hamden | Private Nonprofit | 72% | $40,675 | 76% | $83,759 |
| Sacred Heart University | Fairfield | Private Nonprofit | 65% | $46,174 | 73% | $75,059 |
| Southern Connecticut State University | New Haven | Public | 91% | $20,857 | 50% | $55,043 |
| TIGI Hairdressing Academy Guilford | Guilford | Private For-Profit | N/A | $16,406 | N/A | N/A |
| TIGI Hairdressing Academy Newtown | Newtown | Private For-Profit | N/A | $14,380 | N/A | N/A |
| Trinity College | Hartford | Private Nonprofit | 29% | $34,832 | 84% | $90,779 |
| United States Coast Guard Academy | New London | Public | 22% | N/A | 93% | N/A |
| University of Bridgeport | Bridgeport | Private Nonprofit | 83% | $27,807 | 41% | $50,323 |
| University of Connecticut | Storrs | Public | 52% | $25,097 | 83% | $73,997 |
| University of Connecticut-Avery Point | Groton | Public | 88% | $13,807 | 62% | $73,997 |
| University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus | Hartford | Public | 88% | $16,403 | 65% | $73,997 |
| University of Connecticut-Stamford | Stamford | Public | 83% | $16,798 | 57% | $73,997 |
| University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus | Waterbury | Public | 87% | $10,875 | 53% | $73,997 |
| University of Hartford | West Hartford | Private Nonprofit | 96% | $30,282 | 54% | $60,823 |
| University of New Haven | West Haven | Private Nonprofit | 60% | $34,192 | 63% | $60,126 |
| University of Saint Joseph | West Hartford | Private Nonprofit | 79% | $27,989 | 64% | $59,908 |
| Wesleyan University | Middletown | Private Nonprofit | 16% | $30,177 | 93% | $73,897 |
| Western Connecticut State University | Danbury | Public | 87% | $17,604 | 52% | $59,115 |
| Yale University | New Haven | Private Nonprofit | 4% | $23,777 | 96% | $100,533 |
Showing 50 of 50 schools