by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the graduate school options in Connecticut, it can be hard to know where to start. Our ranking highlights **12** graduate schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual reviewed 12 graduate schools 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.
The top-ranked graduate schools span the following early-career salary range:
Here are the top-ranked graduate schools:
Our analysis found Yale University to be the best graduate school in Connecticut. Set in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. Yale University posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. In-state tuition and fees run about $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.
Fairfield University came in at #2 on this year's Best Graduate Schools ranking in Connecticut. Fairfield University is a private not-for-profit school based in Fairfield, CT. About 84% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $58,400. Early-career graduates earn a median of $66,305. Graduates carry a median of $26,687 in student loans.
University Of Connecticut came in at #3 on this year's Best Graduate Schools ranking in Connecticut. Set in Storrs, CT, University Of Connecticut is a public institution. University Of Connecticut posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Median early-career earnings reach $58,784. Typical student debt is $23,637.
A rank of #4 makes Quinnipiac University one of the top graduate schools in Connecticut. Quinnipiac University is a private not-for-profit school based in Hamden, CT. 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. Graduates carry a median of $25,926 in student loans.
A rank of #5 makes Sacred Heart University one of the top graduate schools in Connecticut. Set in Fairfield, CT, Sacred Heart University is a private not-for-profit institution. Sacred Heart University graduates 74% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,404. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $62,864. Typical student debt is $25,831.
Wesleyan University came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Set in Middletown, CT, Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,042. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,764 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $16,125.
University Of Hartford landed the #7 spot in Connecticut this year. Based in West Hartford, CT, University Of Hartford is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $49,075. Median early-career earnings reach $51,123. The median student debt is $25,648.
Central Connecticut State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best graduate schools. Central Connecticut State University is a public school based in New Britain, CT. Central Connecticut State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 48%. Students from in state pay about $13,050 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,550. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $60,151. Students borrow a median of $24,340 to complete a degree here.
Southern Connecticut State University placed #9 among the best graduate schools in Connecticut. Southern Connecticut State University is a public school based in New Haven, CT. Southern Connecticut State University graduates 50% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $13,442 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,942 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $50,876. Southern Connecticut State University students take on a median of $24,660 in debt.
Saint Joseph College came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Based in West Hartford, CT, Saint Joseph College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $47,278. Graduates go on to earn a median of $75,782 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $27,798.
University Of Bridgeport ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best graduate schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bridgeport, CT. The six-year graduation rate is 41%. In-state tuition and fees average $35,760. Early-career graduates earn a median of $56,368. Students borrow a median of $28,601 to complete a degree here.
Post University did well this year, earning the #12 position. This private for-profit school is set in Waterbury, CT. Post University posts a six-year graduation rate of 24%. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,922. Post University graduates report median early-career earnings of $50,494. Graduates carry a median of $35,364 in student loans.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked graduate schools only.
These rankings are produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Graduate schools are scored on 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
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.