by our College Data Analytics TeamWith all of the graduate school options in Connecticut, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Our ranking highlights 41 graduate schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
So you can compare your options, College Factual evaluated graduate schools across over 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.
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Learn more about these excellent graduate schools below:
Our analysis found Yale University to be the best graduate school in Connecticut. Yale University is a private not-for-profit school based in New Haven, CT. About 96% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $74,578 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete a degree here.
You'll be in good company at Wesleyan University, which ranked #2 this year. Located in Middletown, CT, Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution. Wesleyan University graduates 93% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $70,042 in tuition and fees. Median early-career earnings reach $39,764. The median student debt is $16,125.
You'll be in good company at University Of Connecticut, which ranked #3 this year. University Of Connecticut is a public school based in Storrs, CT. About 83% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,044, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $58,784 early in their careers. The median student debt is $23,637.
The strong outcomes at Fairfield University earned it the #4 place in Connecticut. Set in Fairfield, CT, Fairfield University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $58,400. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $66,305. Fairfield University students take on a median of $26,687 in debt.
Out of the 41 graduate schools in Connecticut in this year's ranking, Trinity College landed the #5 spot. Located in Hartford, CT, Trinity College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,770. Early-career graduates earn a median of $52,927. Trinity College students take on a median of $23,667 in debt.
Quinnipiac University did well this year, earning the #6 position. Based in Hamden, CT, Quinnipiac University is a private not-for-profit institution. Quinnipiac University graduates 76% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $55,480. Median early-career earnings reach $62,573. The median student debt is $25,926.
Sacred Heart University did well this year, earning the #7 position. Located in Fairfield, CT, Sacred Heart University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. In-state tuition and fees run about $50,404. Sacred Heart University graduates report median early-career earnings of $62,864. Students borrow a median of $25,831 to complete a degree here.
Connecticut College placed #8 among the best graduate schools in Connecticut. This private not-for-profit school is set in New London, CT. Connecticut College posts a six-year graduation rate of 82%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,242. Connecticut College graduates report median early-career earnings of $43,936. Graduates carry a median of $23,807 in student loans.
University Of New Haven ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Based in West Haven, CT, University Of New Haven is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of New Haven posts a six-year graduation rate of 63%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,332. University Of New Haven graduates report median early-career earnings of $49,615. University Of New Haven students take on a median of $26,244 in debt.
University Of Hartford ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Located in West Hartford, CT, University Of Hartford is a private not-for-profit institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,075. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,123 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $25,648 in student loans.
Southern Connecticut State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Located in New Haven, CT, Southern Connecticut State University is a public institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,442, while out-of-state students pay about $16,942. Median early-career earnings reach $50,876. Southern Connecticut State University students take on a median of $24,660 in debt.
Central Connecticut State University did well this year, earning the #12 position. Based in New Britain, CT, Central Connecticut State University is a public institution. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,050, while out-of-state students pay about $16,550. Early-career graduates earn a median of $60,151. Central Connecticut State University students take on a median of $24,340 in debt.
Saint Joseph College came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Set 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. Students from in state pay about $47,278 in tuition and fees. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $75,782. The median student debt is $27,798.
Eastern Connecticut State University placed #14 among the best graduate schools in Connecticut. This public school is set in Willimantic, CT. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,928, with out-of-state students paying around $17,426. Median early-career earnings reach $39,573. Eastern Connecticut State University students take on a median of $24,990 in debt.
Charter Oak State College placed #15 among the best graduate schools in Connecticut. Charter Oak State College is a public school based in New Britain, CT. Charter Oak State College graduates 100% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,506. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $62,864. Typical student debt is $23,584.
Western Connecticut State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Located in Danbury, CT, Western Connecticut State University is a public institution. Western Connecticut State University graduates 52% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,401, with out-of-state students paying around $16,901. Western Connecticut State University graduates report median early-career earnings of $47,559. The median student debt is $25,332.
Capital Community College placed #17 among the best graduate schools in Connecticut. Based in New Britain, CT, Capital Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,338, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $43,086. Typical student debt is $12,059.
University Of Bridgeport did well this year, earning the #18 position. Located in Bridgeport, CT, University Of Bridgeport is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 41% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $35,760 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $56,368. University Of Bridgeport students take on a median of $28,601 in debt.
Goodwin College came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Located 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. The median student debt is $35,611.
Albertus Magnus College did well this year, earning the #20 position. Set in New Haven, CT, Albertus Magnus College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. Students from in state pay about $41,908 in tuition and fees. Albertus Magnus College graduates report median early-career earnings of $50,188. Albertus Magnus College students take on a median of $36,919 in debt.
Post University did well this year, earning the #21 position. Based in Waterbury, CT, Post University is a private for-profit institution. Roughly 24% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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.
Mitchell College did well this year, earning the #22 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in New London, CT. The six-year graduation rate is 41%. In-state tuition and fees run about $40,490. Mitchell College graduates report median early-career earnings of $28,355. The median student debt is $26,500.
Porter And Chester Institute Of Stratford landed the #23 spot in Connecticut this year. Porter And Chester Institute Of Stratford is a private for-profit school based in Bridgeport, CT. In-state tuition and fees average $15,856. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $38,511. Students borrow a median of $13,390 to complete a degree here.
International Institute Of Cosmetology came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Set in Wethersfield, CT, International Institute Of Cosmetology is a private for-profit institution. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $20,111. The median student debt is $10,946.
New England Tractor Trailer Training School Of Connecticut did well this year, earning the #25 position. New England Tractor Trailer Training School Of Connecticut is a private for-profit school based in Somers, CT. Early-career graduates earn a median of $43,172. Typical student debt is $6,333.
These graduate schools rounded out the top of the list:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked graduate schools only.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 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
See our data sources and methodologies.