Best Connecticut Colleges & Universities for 2017-2018

The Best Connecticut Colleges of 2017-2018

Explore Accredited Connecticut Colleges and Universities

Students can use the following search tool to find more information about Connecticut colleges and further narrow program options based on their individual preferences. Selectable criteria include school type, city location, tuition cost and student population.

Cost Analysis of Attending College in Connecticut

The cost of tuition can greatly influence a student's college decisions. The type of school, amount of student aid and students' residency status all contribute to a school's final price tag. Since tuition costs can vary significantly from state to state, it pays to do a comparison. The following section shows how the cost of tuition at Connecticut colleges compares to the national average in terms of tuition, the percentage of students receiving financial aid and the average amount students receive.

The Most Affordable Colleges in Connecticut

Tuition and fee costs are certainly an important consideration during the college selection process, but it's not the most precise way of determining a college's affordability. To do that, student's should instead look at a college's average net price, which takes grants, scholarships and other gift financial aid into account. Based on this criteria, here are Connecticut's most affordable colleges and a look at the state's overall college affordability compared to the national average.

Source: College Scorecard
Note: Rankings/data represent 4-year public and private nonprofit schools only.

Connecticut Colleges for Tomorrow's Highest Earners

Taking a look at the typical salaries Connecticut colleges' alumni earn can be helpful when deciding on a college. The following information shows Connecticut colleges with the highest-paid graduates ten years after they entered that school, and how they compare with the national average.

Source: College Scorecard
Note: Rankings/data represent 4-year public and private nonprofit schools only.

Connecticut Colleges With the Lowest Student Debt

Most college students need financial aid to complete their educations, but some colleges work especially hard to try and reduce the amount of debt their students will incur. The following section highlights colleges in Connecticut that produce graduates with the least amount of student debt and data on the national average.

Source: College Scorecard
Note: Rankings/data represent 4-year public and private nonprofit schools only.

More College Cost Considerations: Living Expenses in Connecticut

Cost of living can vary significantly by location, so it's an important factor to consider when looking at Connecticut colleges. One of the best ways students can be prepared financially for college is factor expected living expenses into their budgets. Typical living expenses for college students are shown below, along with a comparison of the cost of living among several Connecticut cities.

Source: The Council for Community and Economic Research

Why Accreditation Matters for Colleges in Connecticut

There are many reasons why accreditation is one of the most important factors to consider when deciding on the right college; the credit transfer, financial aid eligibility, professional certification and future employment could be affected. The quality of one's education could be affected, since colleges must achieve certain standards and meet specific criteria to be accredited. Not all accrediting bodies are equal, however: students should confirm their school's accrediting organization is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Colleges as a whole or specific programs within the college can be given accreditation. The regional accreditation agency for Connecticut colleges is the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. The following are examples of organizations that offer accreditation to specific programs found in Connecticut colleges.

• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) The AACSB gives accreditation to business programs at several colleges in Connecticut, including the: University of Connecticut School of Business, Central Connecticut State University School of Business, Fairfield University Charles F. Dolan School of Business, Quinnipiac University School of Business and Engineering, Sacred Heart University Jack Welch College of Business, University of Hartford Barney School of Business, University of New Haven College of Business, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and Yale University School of Management.
• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) The CCNE gives accreditation to the baccalaureate nursing programs at: Central Connecticut State University, Fairfield University, Lincoln College of New England, Quinnipiac University, Sacred Heart University, Southern Connecticut State University, University of Connecticut, University of Hartford, University of Saint Joseph and Western Connecticut State University.

Connecticut's Key College Towns & Cities

Source: College Scorecard

More Connecticut College Resources

Below are some resources aspiring students may find useful when searching for colleges in Connecticut.