2023 Best Value Schools in Connecticut
Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing
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. Or you may find the programs at a trade school or bootcamp to be a better alternative for you.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Best Value Schools in Connecticut ranking. Our analysis looked at 26 schools in Connecticut to see which programs offered the best value experiences for students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.
This ranking is not just a list of inexpensive schools. We also consider each school's quality, since we believe a low-quality school may not be a 'bargain' at any price. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.
For nationwide and regional rankings, we use out-of-state tuition and fees in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.
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Top Value Schools in Connecticut
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Gateway Community College the best value school in Connecticut for students working on their degree. Located in New Haven, Connecticut, the medium-sized public school handed out 726 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Gateway Community College are $13,448 a year. On average, students take out $10,572 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Gateway Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,822 during the early year of their career.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Tunxis Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Schools in Connecticut list. Tunxis Community College is a small public school situated in Farmington, Connecticut. It awarded 576 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Tunxis Community College are $13,548 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $11,752 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Tunxis Community College graduates make an average of $37,611 annually.
The excellent programs at Capital Community College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best value schools in Connecticut. Capital Community College is a public institution located in Hartford, Connecticut. The school has a small population, and it awarded 360 degrees in 2020-2021.
Capital Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $13,548 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $14,729 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Capital Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,412 during the early years of their career.
Out of the 26 schools in Connecticut that were part of this year’s ranking, Naugatuck Valley Community College landed the # 4 spot on the list. Naugatuck Valley Community College is a small public school located in Waterbury, Connecticut that handed out 896 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Naugatuck Valley Community College are $13,468 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,681 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Naugatuck Valley Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $44,142 during the early year of their career.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Manchester Community College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Connecticut list. Located in Manchester, Connecticut, the small public school awarded 708 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at MCC are $13,468 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $11,878 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, MCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,798 during the early year of their career.
Middlesex Community College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. This small public school is located in Middletown, Connecticut, and it awarded 376 degrees in 2020-2021.
MxCC undergraduate students pay an average of $13,428 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,219 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, MxCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,031 during the early year of their career.
Three Rivers Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Connecticut ranking. Three Rivers Community College is a small public school situated in Norwich, Connecticut. It awarded 450 degrees in 2020-2021.
Three Rivers Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $13,548 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,308 in student loans.After graduating from Three Rivers Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,370 during the early years of their career.
Norwalk Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Connecticut ranking. Located in Norwalk, Connecticut, the small public school handed out 605 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at NCC are $13,538 per year. 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.
Charter Oak State College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Connecticut ranking. Located in New Britain, Connecticut, the small public school awarded 639 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Charter Oak State College are $10,654 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,866 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Charter Oak State College graduates make an average of $51,252 annually.
Charter Oak State College also made our Best Schools in Connecticut list, coming in at #4.
Post University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Connecticut list. Post University is a fairly large private for-profit school located in Waterbury, Connecticut that handed out 2,210 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Post University are $15,458 per year. On average, students take out $34,644 in loans while pursuing 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.
Central Connecticut State University landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. CCSU is a medium-sized public school situated in New Britain, Connecticut. It awarded 2,627 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at CCSU are $24,946 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,350 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $165, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from CCSU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,974 during the early years of their career.
Western Connecticut State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #12 on the list. Western Connecticut State University is a small public school located in Danbury, Connecticut that handed out 1,209 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at WestConn are $25,185 per year. 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. Once they receive their degree, WestConn graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,393 during the early year of their career.
Eastern Connecticut State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Connecticut ranking. Located in Willimantic, Connecticut, the small public school handed out 1,120 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at ECSU are $25,708 a year. On average, students take out $22,336 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $216 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from ECSU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,640 during the early years of their career.
Southern Connecticut State University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Connecticut list. SCSU is a medium-sized public school situated in New Haven, Connecticut. It awarded 2,288 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at SCSU are $25,286 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $24,577 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 $207 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, SCSU graduates make an average of $44,316 annually.
University of Saint Joseph came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Connecticut ranking. This small private not-for-profit school is located in West Hartford, Connecticut, and it awarded 839 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at USJ are $43,084 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,243 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $459 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from USJ, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $68,662 during the early years of their career.
University of Connecticut landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. UCONN is a public institution located in Storrs, Connecticut. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9,327 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UCONN are $41,192 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $22,048 in student debt by the time they complete 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.After graduating from UCONN, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,207 during the early years of their career.
Fairfield University landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. Fairfield U is located in Fairfield, Connecticut and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,517 degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Fairfield U are $52,870 per year. On average, students take out $24,662 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $598, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Fairfield U graduates make an average of $59,065 annually.
Fairfield U also took the #3 spot in our Best Schools in Connecticut rankings.
Quinnipiac University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Connecticut list. Quinnipiac is a private not-for-profit institution located in Hamden, Connecticut. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 3,178 degrees in 2020-2021.
Quinnipiac undergraduate students pay an average of $51,270 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $22,854 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 $884. During the early years of their career, Quinnipiac graduates make an average of $61,041 annually.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, Quinnipiac also did well on our Best Schools in Connecticut list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Yale University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Connecticut ranking. Located in New Haven, Connecticut, the fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 4,383 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Yale undergraduate students pay an average of $59,950 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $15,684 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Yale graduates make an average of $64,868 annually.
Yale not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #1 on our Best Schools in Connecticut list.
University of Hartford did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #20 on the list. West Hartford, Connecticut is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 2,017 students in 2020-2021.
UHart undergraduate students pay an average of $44,885 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,927 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $565, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UHart graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $47,236 during the early year of their career.
University of New Haven ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Connecticut list. University of New Haven is located in West Haven, Connecticut and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,123 degrees to qualified students.
University of New Haven undergraduate students pay an average of $42,898 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $24,698 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $582, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from University of New Haven, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,403 during the early years of their career.
Trinity College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #22 on the list. Trinity Bantams is a private not-for-profit institution located in Hartford, Connecticut. The school has a small population, and it awarded 670 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Trinity Bantams are $61,370 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $19,845 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Trinity Bantams graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $44,891 during the early year of their career.
Trinity Bantams also made our Best Schools in Connecticut list, coming in at #2.
Sacred Heart University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Connecticut ranking. Sacred Heart is a private not-for-profit institution located in Fairfield, Connecticut. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 2,730 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Sacred Heart are $45,230 a year. 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.
University of Bridgeport ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Connecticut list. Bridgeport, Connecticut is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 1,372 students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UBridgeport are $35,760 a year. On average, students take out $28,053 in loans while pursuing their degree. 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.
Connecticut College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Connecticut list. Located in New London, Connecticut, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 489 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Conn College are $60,795 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,603 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $516. During the early years of their career, Conn College graduates make an average of $41,300 annually.
Conn College did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our Best Schools in Connecticut list.
Best Value Schools in the New England Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- 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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