1
Leading the list is Albertus Magnus College, our #1 most economically diverse college in Connecticut. Albertus Magnus College scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 67.0, and gender diversity 94.0.
by our College Data Analytics TeamIf you’re seeking a diverse and multi-faceted college experience, you’ve come to the right place. This list highlights 46 colleges that stand out for their student bodies in Connecticut, using our 2026 methodology.
This ranking is based on the economic backgrounds of the student body (the mix of income levels). To arm you with the information you need, College Factual analyzed 46 colleges, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Diversity means different things to different students. Drill down by location, or explore the overall, racial-ethnic, gender, economic, and age diversity rankings, or other rankings below.
Looking to pit your favorite colleges against each other? Check out College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about these economically diverse colleges below:
Leading the list is Albertus Magnus College, our #1 most economically diverse college in Connecticut. Albertus Magnus College scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 67.0, and gender diversity 94.0.
You'll find a welcoming community at Connecticut State Community College, which ranked #2 this year. It scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 67.5, alongside a 97.2 gender-diversity score.
You'll find a welcoming community at University of Connecticut-Stamford, which ranked #3 this year. It scores 99.9 out of 100 for economic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 72.4, alongside a 99.9 gender-diversity score.
You'll find a welcoming community at University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus, which ranked #4 this year. The school's economic diversity score is 99.7 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 67.9, with a gender-diversity score of 98.2.
Academy Di Capelli - School of Cosmetology earned the #5 place in Connecticut. It scores 99.5 out of 100 for economic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 53.6, with a gender-diversity score of 92.3.
Charter Oak State College landed the #6 spot in Connecticut this year. It scores 99.5 out of 100 for economic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 61.4, and gender diversity 76.5.
Lincoln Technical Institute - East Windsor earned the #7 position in Connecticut. On economic diversity, it scores 99.5 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 70.3, with a gender-diversity score of 55.4.
University of Bridgeport came in at #8 in this year's ranking. It scores 99.3 out of 100 for economic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 73.1, with a gender-diversity score of 98.1.
Mitchell College landed the #9 spot in Connecticut this year. Mitchell College scores 99.3 out of 100 for economic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 64.7, and gender diversity 99.8.
Southern Connecticut State University earned the #10 position in Connecticut. It scores 99.3 out of 100 for economic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 64.2, with a gender-diversity score of 94.5.
Paul Mitchell the School North Haven landed the #11 spot in Connecticut this year. On economic diversity, it scores 99.0 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 62.6, alongside a 5.4 gender-diversity score.
Goodwin University earned the #12 position in Connecticut. Goodwin University scores 98.6 out of 100 for economic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 67.5, and gender diversity 64.6.
Cortiva Institute, Cromwell ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the most economically diverse colleges. It scores 98.6 out of 100 for economic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 67.7, with a gender-diversity score of 42.7.
Porter and Chester Institute of Stratford landed the #14 spot in Connecticut this year. It scores 98.6 out of 100 for economic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 81.3, and gender diversity 97.5.
Ricci's Academy of Cosmetology landed the #15 spot in Connecticut this year. The school's economic diversity score is 97.1 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 45.0, alongside a 63.2 gender-diversity score.
Central Connecticut State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the most economically diverse colleges. On economic diversity, it scores 97.1 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 61.3, alongside a 100.0 gender-diversity score.
Lincoln Technical Institute - Shelton landed the #17 spot in Connecticut this year. On economic diversity, it scores 96.5 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 65.9, with a gender-diversity score of 96.5.
University of Connecticut-Avery Point ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the most economically diverse colleges. The school's economic diversity score is 96.5 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 58.5, alongside a 98.5 gender-diversity score.
Industrial Management Training Institute came in at #19 in this year's ranking. The school's economic diversity score is 94.3 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 47.8, and gender diversity 0.0.
Western Connecticut State University earned the #20 position in Connecticut. The school's economic diversity score is 94.3 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 65.1, alongside a 99.5 gender-diversity score.
New England Tractor Trailer Training School of Connecticut landed the #21 spot in Connecticut this year. On economic diversity, it scores 94.3 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 52.3, alongside a 47.2 gender-diversity score.
International Institute of Cosmetology ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the most economically diverse colleges. The school's economic diversity score is 93.4 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 56.0, and gender diversity 19.7.
University of Saint Joseph placed #23 among the most economically diverse colleges in Connecticut. It scores 93.4 out of 100 for economic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 61.7, and gender diversity 79.1.
University of Hartford landed the #24 spot in Connecticut this year. The school's economic diversity score is 92.5 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 67.8, alongside a 97.5 gender-diversity score.
Lincoln Technical Institute - New Britain ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the most economically diverse colleges. The school's economic diversity score is 92.5 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 62.6, alongside a 95.5 gender-diversity score.
Not far behind, these colleges also rank among the most economically diverse this year:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This ranking is based on the economic backgrounds of the student body (the mix of income levels). The racial-ethnic minorities percentage is calculated by taking the total number of students, subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity is unknown, and dividing by total enrollment.
These rankings are produced by College Factual, 2026 edition.
References
See our data sources and methodologies.