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2023 Best Schools in Connecticut

26 Schools Ranked
$47,399 Average Earnings
$21,440 Avg Student Debt

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Also there are many trade schools and bpptcamp that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Best Schools in Connecticut ranking. This report analyzed 26 schools in Connecticut to see which ones offered the best programs for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Schools in Connecticut

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut
$64,868 Average Earnings
$15,684 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found Yale University to be the best school for students in Connecticut.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,684 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Yale graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $64,868 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Yale University

#2

Trinity College

Hartford, Connecticut
$44,891 Average Earnings
$19,845 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Trinity College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Schools in Connecticut list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,845 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Trinity Bantams graduates make an average of $44,891 annually.

Full Trinity College Report

#3

Fairfield University

Fairfield, Connecticut
$59,065 Average Earnings
$24,662 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 26 schools in Connecticut that were part of this year’s ranking, Fairfield University landed the # 3 spot on the list.

Degree recipients from Fairfield U accumulate an average of $24,662 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $598. During the early years of their career, Fairfield U graduates make an average of $59,065 annually.

Read full report on Fairfield University

#4

Charter Oak State College

New Britain, Connecticut
$51,252 Average Earnings
$27,866 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Charter Oak State College is a great place for students.

On average, students take out $27,866 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Charter Oak State College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $51,252 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Charter Oak State College

#5

Connecticut College

New London, Connecticut
$41,300 Average Earnings
$23,603 Avg Student Debt

The excellent programs at Connecticut College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in Connecticut.

On average, students take out $23,603 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $516. Once they receive their degree, Conn College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,300 during the early year of their career.

Read More…

#6

Quinnipiac University

Hamden, Connecticut
$61,041 Average Earnings
$22,854 Avg Student Debt

Quinnipiac University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Schools in Connecticut list.

On average, students take out $22,854 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $884. Once they receive their degree, Quinnipiac graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $61,041 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Quinnipiac University

#7

Sacred Heart University

Fairfield, Connecticut
$51,043 Average Earnings
$24,848 Avg Student Debt

Sacred Heart University landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs.

On average, students take out $24,848 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $657. Once they receive their degree, Sacred Heart graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $51,043 during the early year of their career.

Read More…

#8

Gateway Community College

New Haven, Connecticut
$39,822 Average Earnings
$10,572 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #8, Gateway Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.

On average, students take out $10,572 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Gateway Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,822 during the early years of their career.

Read More…

#9

Post University

Waterbury, Connecticut
$45,761 Average Earnings
$34,644 Avg Student Debt

Post University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Schools in Connecticut list.

Degree recipients from Post University accumulate an average of $34,644 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Post University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,761 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Post University

#10

University of Connecticut

Storrs, Connecticut
$51,207 Average Earnings
$22,048 Avg Student Debt

University of Connecticut ranked #10 on this year’s Best Schools in Connecticut list.

On average, students take out $22,048 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $416, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UCONN graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $51,207 during the early year of their career.

Full University of Connecticut Report

#11

Tunxis Community College

Farmington, Connecticut
$37,611 Average Earnings
$11,752 Avg Student Debt

Tunxis Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Connecticut ranking.

Degree recipients from Tunxis Community College accumulate an average of $11,752 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Tunxis Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,611 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Tunxis Community College

#12

University of Saint Joseph

West Hartford, Connecticut
$68,662 Average Earnings
$27,243 Avg Student Debt

University of Saint Joseph ranked #12 on this year’s Best Schools in Connecticut list.

Degree recipients from USJ accumulate an average of $27,243 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $459.After graduating from USJ, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $68,662 during the early years of their career.

Full University of Saint Joseph Report

#13

University of New Haven

West Haven, Connecticut
$45,403 Average Earnings
$24,698 Avg Student Debt

University of New Haven came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Connecticut ranking.

Degree recipients from University of New Haven accumulate an average of $24,698 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $582 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, University of New Haven graduates make an average of $45,403 annually.

Full University of New Haven Report

#14

Capital Community College

Hartford, Connecticut
$39,412 Average Earnings
$14,729 Avg Student Debt

Capital Community College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Schools in Connecticut list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,729 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Capital Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,412 during the early year of their career.

Full Capital Community College Report

#15

Central Connecticut State University

New Britain, Connecticut
$50,974 Average Earnings
$24,350 Avg Student Debt

Central Connecticut State University landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs.

Degree recipients from CCSU accumulate an average of $24,350 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $165, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, CCSU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,974 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Central Connecticut State University

#16

University of Hartford

West Hartford, Connecticut
$47,236 Average Earnings
$25,927 Avg Student Debt

University of Hartford landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs.

On average, students take out $25,927 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $565 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UHart, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,236 during the early years of their career.

Full University of Hartford Report

#17

Naugatuck Valley Community College

Waterbury, Connecticut
$44,142 Average Earnings
$13,681 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #17, Naugatuck Valley Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.

Degree recipients from Naugatuck Valley Community College accumulate an average of $13,681 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Naugatuck Valley Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,142 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Naugatuck Valley Community College

#18

Middlesex Community College

Middletown, Connecticut
$37,031 Average Earnings
$13,219 Avg Student Debt

Middlesex Community College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs.

Degree recipients from MxCC accumulate an average of $13,219 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, MxCC graduates make an average of $37,031 annually.

Read More…

#19

Manchester Community College

Manchester, Connecticut
$35,798 Average Earnings
$11,878 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #19, Manchester Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.

Degree recipients from MCC accumulate an average of $11,878 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, MCC graduates make an average of $35,798 annually.

Full Manchester Community College Report

#20

Three Rivers Community College

Norwich, Connecticut
$40,370 Average Earnings
$11,308 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #20, Three Rivers Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.

Degree recipients from Three Rivers Community College accumulate an average of $11,308 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Three Rivers Community College graduates make an average of $40,370 annually.

Read full report on Three Rivers Community College

#21

Eastern Connecticut State University

Willimantic, Connecticut
$36,640 Average Earnings
$22,336 Avg Student Debt

Eastern Connecticut State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Schools in Connecticut list.

Degree recipients from ECSU accumulate an average of $22,336 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $216, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, ECSU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,640 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Eastern Connecticut State University

#22

Western Connecticut State University

Danbury, Connecticut
$39,393 Average Earnings
$24,979 Avg Student Debt

Western Connecticut State University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Schools in Connecticut list.

On average, students take out $24,979 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $242, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from WestConn, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,393 during the early years of their career.

Full Western Connecticut State University Report

#23

Southern Connecticut State University

New Haven, Connecticut
$44,316 Average Earnings
$24,577 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #23, Southern Connecticut State University did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,577 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $207.After graduating from SCSU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,316 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Southern Connecticut State University

#24

University of Bridgeport

Bridgeport, Connecticut
$45,763 Average Earnings
$28,053 Avg Student Debt

University of Bridgeport came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Connecticut ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,053 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $258 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UBridgeport graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $45,763 during the early year of their career.

Full University of Bridgeport Report

#25

Norwalk Community College

Norwalk, Connecticut
$45,067 Average Earnings
$15,629 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #25, Norwalk Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,629 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, NCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $45,067 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Norwalk Community College

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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