2023 Most Popular Schools in Connecticut
With all the programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. 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 Most Popular Schools in Connecticut ranking. This report analyzed 65 schools in Connecticut to see which ones were the most popular programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
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Most Popular Schools in Connecticut
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Our 2023 rankings named University of Connecticut the most popular school in Connecticut for students working on their degree. This large public school is located in Storrs, Connecticut, and it awarded 9,327 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $22,048 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $416 if they 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. Around 55% of those degree recipients were women.
The programs at Yale University helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular schools in Connecticut. Yale University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in New Haven, Connecticut that handed out 4,383 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,684 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Yale graduates make an average of $64,868 annually. Around 51% of those degree recipients were women.
The programs at Quinnipiac University helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular schools in Connecticut. Located in Hamden, Connecticut, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 3,178 degrees in 2020-2021.
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.After graduating from Quinnipiac, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $61,041 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Sacred Heart University. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Connecticut list. Sacred Heart University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in Fairfield, Connecticut that handed out 2,730 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Sacred Heart accumulate an average of $24,848 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 $657 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Sacred Heart graduates make an average of $51,043 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 68% were women.
Out of the 65 schools in Connecticut that were part of this year’s ranking, Central Connecticut State University landed the # 5 spot on the list. This medium-sized public school is located in New Britain, Connecticut, and it awarded 2,627 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,350 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $165 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, CCSU graduates make an average of $50,974 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.
Southern Connecticut State University landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Southern Connecticut State University is a medium-sized public school located in New Haven, Connecticut that handed out 2,288 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from SCSU accumulate an average of $24,577 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $207, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, SCSU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $44,316 during the early year of their career. Around 68% of those degree recipients were women.
Post University ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Connecticut list. Located in Waterbury, Connecticut, the fairly large private for-profit school handed out 2,210 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $34,644 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Post University graduates make an average of $45,761 annually. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Hartford came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Connecticut ranking. UHart is located in West Hartford, Connecticut and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,017 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from UHart accumulate an average of $25,927 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 $565. During the early years of their career, UHart graduates make an average of $47,236 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
With a ranking of #9, University of New Haven did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. West Haven, Connecticut is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 2,123 students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from University of New Haven 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. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.
Fairfield University landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in Fairfield, Connecticut, and it awarded 1,517 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Fairfield U accumulate an average of $24,662 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 $598 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Fairfield U, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $59,065 during the early years of their career. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Bridgeport ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular 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.
Degree recipients from UBridgeport accumulate an average of $28,053 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $258, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UBridgeport graduates make an average of $45,763 annually. Around 69% of those degree recipients were women.
Western Connecticut State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Connecticut ranking. WestConn is a small public school situated in Danbury, Connecticut. It awarded 1,209 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $24,979 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $242 if they 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. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
Eastern Connecticut State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #13 on the list. Located in Willimantic, Connecticut, the small public school handed out 1,120 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,336 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $216, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, ECSU graduates make an average of $36,640 annually. Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.
Wesleyan University ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Connecticut list. Located in Middletown, Connecticut, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 1,107 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Wesleyan U accumulate an average of $15,460 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 $591.After graduating from Wesleyan U, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,232 during the early years of their career. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
Porter and Chester Institute of Stratford came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Connecticut ranking. Stratford, Connecticut is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out degrees to 1,087 students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Porter and Chester Institute accumulate an average of $14,618 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $149, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Porter and Chester Institute graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $33,258 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 40% were women.
Read full report on Porter and Chester Institute of Stratford
Goodwin College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #16 on the list. Goodwin is a small private not-for-profit school situated in East Hartford, Connecticut. It awarded 998 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $32,600 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $191, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Goodwin graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $45,599 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 77% were women.
American Sentinel University landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. American Sentinel University is a private for-profit institution located in Aurora, Connecticut. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,052 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from American Sentinel University accumulate an average of $26,198 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from American Sentinel University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $89,894 during the early years of their career. Around 91% of those degree recipients were women.
Naugatuck Valley Community College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Waterbury, Connecticut is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 896 students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $13,681 in loans while pursuing their degree. 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. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
With a ranking of #19, University of Saint Joseph did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. USJ is a small private not-for-profit school situated in West Hartford, Connecticut. It awarded 839 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from USJ accumulate an average of $27,243 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $459, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, USJ graduates make an average of $68,662 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 86% were women.
Gateway Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Connecticut list. Gateway Community College is a public institution located in New Haven, Connecticut. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 726 degrees in 2020-2021.
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. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
Manchester Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #21 on the list. Located in Manchester, Connecticut, the small public school awarded 708 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from MCC 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. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
New England Tractor Trailer Training School of CT-Bridgeport landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Bridgeport, Connecticut is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out degrees to 703 students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from New England Tractor Trailer Training School of CT-Bridgeport accumulate an average of $8,219 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 $33 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from New England Tractor Trailer Training School of CT-Bridgeport, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,151 during the early years of their career. Around 9% of those degree recipients were women.
Read full report on New England Tractor Trailer Training School of CT-Bridgeport
Trinity College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #23 on the list. Located in Hartford, Connecticut, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 670 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,845 in student loans. 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. Around 54% of those degree recipients were women.
Charter Oak State College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #24 on the list. Located in New Britain, Connecticut, the small public school awarded 639 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $27,866 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Charter Oak State College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,252 during the early years of their career. Around 70% of those degree recipients were women.
Norwalk Community College ranked #25 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Connecticut list. NCC is located in Norwalk, Connecticut and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 605 degrees to qualified students.
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. Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.
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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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