2026 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Connecticut

1

Capital Community College
New Britain, CT

Leading the list is Capital Community College, our #1 best value for liberal arts in Connecticut. Set in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,338, while out-of-state students pay about $15,596. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $6,050. Liberal Arts graduates of Capital Community College earn a median of $25,072 early in their careers. Set against $6,050 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Charter Oak State College
New Britain, CT

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Charter Oak State College earned it the #2 place for liberal arts. Set in the suburb of New Britain, Charter Oak State College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,506. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $20,205. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Charter Oak State College generally make around $44,615. Set against $20,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Eastern Connecticut State University
Willimantic, CT

Students looking for strong value in liberal arts will find it at Eastern Connecticut State University, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Willimantic, Eastern Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,928, with out-of-state students paying around $17,426. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $25,373. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Eastern Connecticut State University generally make around $41,870. Set against $25,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

4

Southern Connecticut State University
New Haven, CT

Southern Connecticut State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,442, compared with $16,942 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,625 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Southern Connecticut State University earn a median of $36,168 early in their careers. Set against $26,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Connecticut
Storrs, CT

University Of Connecticut came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,044, while out-of-state students pay about $43,712. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $58,784. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 52%.

6

Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University earned the #6 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $15,750. Liberal Arts graduates of Yale University earn a median of $61,133 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.

7

University Of Bridgeport
Bridgeport, CT

University Of Bridgeport placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the city of Bridgeport, University Of Bridgeport is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,760 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $35,340. Liberal Arts graduates of University Of Bridgeport earn a median of $43,743 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Bridgeport admits about 83% of applicants.

8

Wesleyan University
Middletown, CT

Wesleyan University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Middletown, Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,042. Students borrow a median of $16,125 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Wesleyan University generally make around $39,764. Set against $16,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

9

Goodwin College
East Hartford, CT

Goodwin College placed #9 among the best values for liberal arts. Goodwin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of East Hartford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,188. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $35,611 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Goodwin College earn a median of $52,724 early in their careers. Set against $35,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

University Of Hartford
West Hartford, CT

University Of Hartford landed the #10 spot for liberal arts value this year. University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of West Hartford. In-state tuition and fees average $49,075. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $6,992. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of New Haven
West Haven, CT

University Of New Haven ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the suburb of West Haven, University Of New Haven is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,332. Students borrow a median of $26,244 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from University Of New Haven generally make around $49,615. Set against $26,244 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Haven admits about 60% of applicants.