Best Colleges in Connecticut (2023 Rankings)

If you plan to pursue higher education in Connecticut, you'll discover no shortage of top colleges to choose from! Whether you're a high school student hoping to earn a bachelor's degree from an Ivy League school or are looking for a great public college to call home, you've come to the right place.

Join us for an introduction to the best colleges in Connecticut (in no particular order), complete with breakdowns of what each has to offer.

Yale University, New Haven

Fast Facts:

• Tuition: $57,000
• Acceptance rate: 7%
• Undergraduate students: 4,703
• Graduation rate: 84% (4-year), 96% (6-year)

When it comes to higher education, a degree from Yale University is the gold standard. A private research university, Yale is consistently rated as one of the best colleges in the United States, if not the world.

Yale is notoriously selective, but if you're lucky enough to earn a spot, you'll enjoy an ivy league education in your choice of over 75 majors.

Yale's undergrads have access to such cutting-edge research opportunities that they've patented new inventions and uncovered whole new species. Whether you're into Political Science, Neuroscience, or anything in between, Yale is an outstanding private institution with killer graduation rates!

You might also like: The University of New Haven, West Haven 

Wesleyan University, Middletown

Fast Facts:

• Tuition: $59,686
• Acceptance rate: 21%
• Undergraduate students: 2,852
• Graduation rate: 87% (4-year), 91% (6-year)

Wesleyan University is a small private liberal arts college that was founded in 1831. Not only does the school boast a beautiful 316-acre historical campus, but also a great location within a two-hour drive from both Boston and New York City.

While admissions are pretty competitive, enrollment comes with perks like an 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio and your choice of 45 fields of study. Wesleyan also offers opportunities to study abroad in cities like Madrid, Paris, and Bologna, Italy.

You might also like: University of Hartford, West Hartford

United States Coast Guard Academy, New London

Fast Facts:

• Tuition: None
• Acceptance rate: 20%
• Undergraduate students: 1,056
• Graduation rate: 85% (4-year), 86% (6-year)

While it may not be for everyone, the United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) is ranked among the most prestigious military academies in the nation. It offers an elite, tuition-free education with guaranteed job placement, as students are required to serve five years upon graduation.

Regardless of which major you choose, you'll get a comprehensive education in cutting-edge Science, Math, and Engineering. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 7:1 and plenty of individualized attention, this is one school that's on a mission to ensure that every student reaches their full potential.

You might also like: Central Connecticut State University (CCSU), New Britain

University of Connecticut, Storrs

Fast Facts:

• In-state tuition: $17,834
• Out-of-state tuition: $40,502
• Acceptance rate: 56%
• Undergraduate students: 18,917
• Graduation rate: 73% (4-year), 83% (6-year)

The University of Connecticut (UConn) is a large public institution with five different campuses throughout the state. While you'll find the main campus in Storrs, UConn also has extension campuses in Avery Point, Hartford, Stamford, and Waterbury.

Home of the Huskies sports teams, UConn offers over 115 different fields of study in everything from Puppet Arts to Robotics Engineering. With over 700 student organizations, seven cultural centers/programs, and over 40 Greek chapters, UConn is a great place for a classic four-year college experience.

You might also like: Western Connecticut State University, Danbury

Trinity College, Hartford

Fast Facts:

• Tuition: $59,050
• Acceptance rate: 36%
• Undergraduate students: 2,200
• Graduation rate: 78% (4-year), 82% (6-year)

Trinity College is a small private college with a stellar 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio. This is the type of school where you'll find a tight-knit student population, smaller class sizes, and professors that take a personal interest in each student's success.

Trinity offers 40+ degree programs in everything from English to Economics and is consistently ranked as one of the top liberal arts colleges in New England. Founded in 1823, the university is currently celebrating its Bicentennial, so this is a great time to check out the campus!

You might also like: University of Saint Joseph, West Hartford

Fairfield University

Fast Facts:

• Tuition: $51,325
• Acceptance rate: 56%
• Undergraduate students: 4,354
• Graduation rate: 80% (4-year), 82% (6-year)

Fairfield University is a private Catholic college that's set in a gorgeous coastal town just an hour outside of New York City. Choose from 48 majors, including popular choices like Nursing, Finance, and Math - or take the opportunity to design your own.

Fairfield also offers several pre-professional tracks, just in case you're interested in pursuing Law or Medicine. Get involved with one of over 100 student organizations or bookmark the Life@Fairfied online forum to stay on top of upcoming events on campus.

You might also like: Albertus Magnus College, New Haven

Sacred Heart University, Fairfield

Fast Facts:

• Tuition: $44,350
• Acceptance rate: 66%
• Undergraduate students: 6,417
• Graduation rate: 67% (4-year), 73% (6-year)

The city of Fairfield is slaying it when it comes to private Catholic colleges. Sacred Heart University (SHU) is yet another of the state's best schools and offers an impressive range of academic programs.

Whether you want to earn an associate degree, bachelor's degree, or doctoral degree, SHU has got you covered with 90+ degree programs. You can even choose to minor in Esports, which is undeniably cool.

You might also like: Post University, Waterbury

Quinnipiac University, Hamden

Fast Facts:

• Tuition: $50,760
• Acceptance rate: 82%
• Undergraduate students: 6,843
• Graduation rate: 73% (4-year), 76% (6-year)

Quinnipiac University (QU) is a private institution that offers over 100 undergraduate majors, 30 graduate programs, and dual-degree programs designed to help you earn both at once. Part of what we love about Quinnipiac is the school's emphasis on hands-on learning opportunities.

For instance, if you're studying Visual Arts and Design, they'll hook you up with a semester-long internship in LA at companies like Blizzard Entertainment or Facebook. Whether you want to study Forensic Science or Environmental Sustainability, QU has a great degree program for you.

You might also like: Goodwin University, East Hartford

Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic

Fast Facts:

• In-state tuition: $12,304
• Out-of-state tuition: $25,708
• Acceptance rate: 70%
• Undergraduate students: 4,475
• Graduation rate: 45% (4-year), 56% (6-year)

Eastern Connecticut State University is a public state college where you'll find 40 majors and 60 minors to choose from. Eastern takes variety to the next level by offering learners the chance to study anything from Cannabis Cultivation and Chemistry to Genetic Counseling.

At Eastern, you'll find a diverse and welcoming student population, over 90 student clubs, and over 2,500 on-campus events each year. Whether you're cheering on the Warriors sports teams or participating in one of over 700 internship opportunities, Eastern is the type of place where you'll never have to worry about getting bored.

You might also like: Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven

Connecticut College, New London

Fast Facts:

• Tuition: $59,025
• Acceptance rate: 38%
• Undergraduate students: 1,737
• Graduation rate: 78% (4-year), 82% (6-year)

Connecticut College, aka "Conn," is one of several small private universities that are collectively known as "Little Ivies." Conn offers a top-notch education, not to mention a gorgeous campus that sprawls across a 750-acre waterfront arboretum.

Conn's unique methodology encourages students to pursue the topics that interest them most through a series of educational pathways called Connections. The university also offers a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio and an average class size of 17 students to ensure that everyone has plenty of support in achieving their goals.

You might also like: Mitchell College, New London

Connecticut colleges FAQs

What is the most prestigious college in Connecticut?

Yale University is among the most prestigious colleges in the United States, while the United States Coast Guard Academy is right up there with West Point when it comes to military academies.

Are there any Ivy League colleges in Connecticut?

While Yale is technically the only Ivy League school in Connecticut, the state is also home to several "Little Ivies," such as Wesleyan University and Trinity College.

Which Connecticut college has the best sports teams?

UConn has great sports teams and just took home the 2023 NCAA win for men's basketball.

Find the perfect Connecticut school with College Rover

Finding the right school isn't always as easy as simply comparing rankings. That's why College Rover offers a comprehensive database designed to help you find, filter, and research the best universities for your needs. We believe the path to success lies less in stressing over which college is the best and more in finding the best choice for you. Visit College Rover today and make the most educated college decision with ease.

College Rover gets the majority of its data directly from the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). The DOE publishing schedule "lags" the most current data which some colleges post on their official websites. This may cause there to be a difference in the data you see on College Rover and an individual college website. College Rover's website is updated as the DOE data becomes available and is configured for the College Rover website.