by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the graduate school options in Connecticut, it can be hard to know where to start. We have ranked **9** graduate schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual reviewed 9 graduate schools using more than 20 objective factors 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.
Here is the early-career salary range across the top-ranked graduate schools:
Explore the leading graduate schools below:
Yale University tops our 2026 ranking of the best graduate schools in Connecticut. Set in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. In-state tuition and fees average $67,250. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $74,578. Typical student debt is $14,357.
The strong outcomes at University Of Connecticut earned it the #2 place in Connecticut. University Of Connecticut is a public school based in Storrs, CT. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,044, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $58,784. University Of Connecticut students take on a median of $23,637 in debt.
Out of the 9 graduate schools in Connecticut in this year's ranking, Sacred Heart University landed the #3 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Fairfield, CT. About 74% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $50,404 in tuition and fees. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $62,864. Students borrow a median of $25,831 to complete a degree here.
You'll be in good company at Central Connecticut State University, which ranked #4 this year. Set in New Britain, CT, Central Connecticut State University is a public institution. Central Connecticut State University graduates 48% of students within six years. 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. Central Connecticut State University students take on a median of $24,340 in debt.
University Of Hartford came in at #5 on this year's Best Graduate Schools ranking in Connecticut. Located 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. 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.
Southern Connecticut State University landed the #6 spot in Connecticut this year. Based in New Haven, CT, Southern Connecticut State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. Students from in state pay about $13,442 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,942. Early-career graduates earn a median of $50,876. The median student debt is $24,660.
University Of Bridgeport did well this year, earning the #7 position. Based in Bridgeport, CT, University Of Bridgeport is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 41%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,760. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $56,368. Typical student debt is $28,601.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked graduate schools only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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
See our data sources and methodologies.