by our College Data Analytics TeamUniversity Of Connecticut ranks #1 of 12 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Associate’s Degree Colleges in Connecticut ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 12 colleges average a 59% six-year graduation rate and $68,687 in median earnings five years after graduation.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
With all of the college options in Connecticut, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. This list ranks **12** schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual analyzed 12 colleges on more than 20 objective measures such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
University Of Connecticut leads the 12 ranked colleges in Connecticut, followed by Fairfield University (#2) and Sacred Heart University (#3). Here are the top-ranked colleges:
No school ranked higher than University Of Connecticut this year in Connecticut. This public school is set in Storrs, CT. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $21,044, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $58,784. University Of Connecticut students take on a median of $23,637 in debt.
You'll be in good company at Fairfield University, which ranked #2 this year. Located in Fairfield, CT, Fairfield University is a private not-for-profit institution. Fairfield University posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. Students from in state pay about $58,400 in tuition and fees. Fairfield University graduates report median early-career earnings of $66,305. The median student debt is $26,687.
The strong outcomes at Sacred Heart University earned it the #3 place in Connecticut. Located in Fairfield, CT, Sacred Heart University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,404. Graduates go on to earn a median of $62,864 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,831 to complete a degree here.
The strong outcomes at University Of New Haven earned it the #4 place in Connecticut. University Of New Haven is a private not-for-profit school based in West Haven, CT. About 63% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $47,332. Median early-career earnings reach $49,615. The median student debt is $26,244.
You'll be in good company at University Of Hartford, which ranked #5 this year. Located in West Hartford, CT, University Of Hartford is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,075. Early-career graduates earn a median of $51,123. Students borrow a median of $25,648 to complete a degree here.
Charter Oak State College landed the #6 spot in Connecticut this year. Set in New Britain, CT, Charter Oak State College is a public institution. Roughly 100% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,506. Median early-career earnings reach $62,864. Students borrow a median of $23,584 to complete a degree here.
Capital Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. This public school is set in New Britain, CT. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,338, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $43,086. Graduates carry a median of $12,059 in student loans.
University Of Bridgeport placed #8 among the best colleges in Connecticut. University Of Bridgeport is a private not-for-profit school based in Bridgeport, CT. Roughly 41% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $35,760. Median early-career earnings reach $56,368. Graduates carry a median of $28,601 in student loans.
Goodwin College came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Goodwin College is a private not-for-profit school based in East Hartford, CT. Students from in state pay about $21,188 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $52,724. Graduates carry a median of $35,611 in student loans.
Albertus Magnus College landed the #10 spot in Connecticut this year. Albertus Magnus College is a private not-for-profit school based in New Haven, CT. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,908. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,188 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $36,919.
Post University did well this year, earning the #11 position. Set in Waterbury, CT, Post University is a private for-profit institution. Post University graduates 24% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $15,922 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $50,494. Students borrow a median of $35,364 to complete a degree here.
Holy Apostles College And Seminary landed the #12 spot in Connecticut this year. Located in Cromwell, CT, Holy Apostles College And Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Holy Apostles College And Seminary posts a six-year graduation rate of 15%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,580.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
More about our data sources and methodologies.