by our College Data Analytics TeamYale University ranks #1 of 22 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges in Connecticut ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 22 colleges average a 64% six-year graduation rate and $72,195 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, narrowing things down is no easy task. We have ranked **22** institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
To help you make your decision, College Factual evaluated 22 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.
Yale University leads the 22 ranked colleges in Connecticut, followed by Wesleyan University (#2) and Fairfield University (#3). Learn more about these excellent colleges below:
No school ranked higher than Yale University this year in Connecticut. This private not-for-profit school is set in New Haven, CT. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. In-state tuition and fees average $67,250. Graduates go on to earn a median of $74,578 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans.
The strong outcomes at Wesleyan University earned it the #2 place in Connecticut. Located in Middletown, CT, Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution. Wesleyan University graduates 93% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $70,042. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $39,764. The median student debt is $16,125.
Out of the 22 colleges in Connecticut in this year's ranking, Fairfield University landed the #3 spot. Based in Fairfield, CT, Fairfield University is a private not-for-profit institution. Fairfield University posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. In-state tuition and fees average $58,400. Fairfield University graduates report median early-career earnings of $66,305. Typical student debt is $26,687.
University Of Connecticut came in at #4 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in Connecticut. Located in Storrs, CT, University Of Connecticut is a public institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,044, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. University Of Connecticut graduates report median early-career earnings of $58,784. The median student debt is $23,637.
You'll be in good company at Trinity College, which ranked #5 this year. Set in Hartford, CT, Trinity College is a private not-for-profit institution. Trinity College graduates 84% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,770. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $52,927. Typical student debt is $23,667.
Quinnipiac University came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Located in Hamden, CT, Quinnipiac University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. Students from in state pay about $55,480 in tuition and fees. Quinnipiac University graduates report median early-career earnings of $62,573. The median student debt is $25,926.
Sacred Heart University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. This private not-for-profit school is set in Fairfield, CT. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $50,404 in tuition and fees. Sacred Heart University graduates report median early-career earnings of $62,864. Graduates carry a median of $25,831 in student loans.
Connecticut College did well this year, earning the #8 position. Set in New London, CT, Connecticut College is a private not-for-profit institution. Connecticut College graduates 82% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,242. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,936 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,807 to complete a degree here.
University Of New Haven landed the #9 spot in Connecticut this year. Set in West Haven, CT, University Of New Haven is a private not-for-profit institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,332. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $49,615. Graduates carry a median of $26,244 in student loans.
Southern Connecticut State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Located in New Haven, CT, Southern Connecticut State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. In-state tuition and fees average $13,442, while out-of-state students pay about $16,942. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $50,876. Graduates carry a median of $24,660 in student loans.
Central Connecticut State University placed #11 among the best colleges in Connecticut. Based in New Britain, CT, Central Connecticut State University is a public institution. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,050, with out-of-state students paying around $16,550. Graduates go on to earn a median of $60,151 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,340 to complete a degree here.
University Of Hartford landed the #12 spot in Connecticut 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,123 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $25,648.
Charter Oak State College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. 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 average $8,506. Early-career graduates earn a median of $62,864. Graduates carry a median of $23,584 in student loans.
Eastern Connecticut State University came in at #14 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Willimantic, CT. Eastern Connecticut State University graduates 57% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,928, while out-of-state students pay about $17,426. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,573 early in their careers. The median student debt is $24,990.
Saint Joseph College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. This private not-for-profit school is set in West Hartford, CT. About 64% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,278. Saint Joseph College graduates report median early-career earnings of $75,782. Students borrow a median of $27,798 to complete a degree here.
Western Connecticut State University landed the #16 spot in Connecticut this year. Western Connecticut State University is a public school based in Danbury, CT. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. Students from in state pay about $13,401 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,901 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $47,559. Western Connecticut State University students take on a median of $25,332 in debt.
University Of Bridgeport came in at #17 in this year's ranking. University Of Bridgeport is a private not-for-profit school based in Bridgeport, CT. University Of Bridgeport graduates 41% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $35,760. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,368 early in their careers. The median student debt is $28,601.
Albertus Magnus College did well this year, earning the #18 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in New Haven, CT. About 50% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,908. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $50,188. The median student debt is $36,919.
Goodwin College placed #19 among the best colleges in Connecticut. Based in East Hartford, CT, Goodwin College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,188. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $52,724. Students borrow a median of $35,611 to complete a degree here.
Post University placed #20 among the best colleges in Connecticut. Set in Waterbury, CT, Post University is a private for-profit institution. Post University posts a six-year graduation rate of 24%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,922. Post University graduates report median early-career earnings of $50,494. Students borrow a median of $35,364 to complete a degree here.
Holy Apostles College And Seminary placed #21 among the best colleges in Connecticut. Set in Cromwell, CT, Holy Apostles College And Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 15% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $9,580.
Mitchell College landed the #22 spot in Connecticut this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in New London, CT. About 41% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,490. Median early-career earnings reach $28,355. Typical student debt is $26,500.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs 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.