Best Grad Schools in Connecticut 2024

Badge for BEST IN CONNECTICUT GRADUATE SCHOOLS

Graduate school may be a critical step in your higher education, whether you are interested in expanding your knowledge, learning a specialization, or earning advanced credentials required by your profession. The best graduate schools in Connecticut offer advanced degrees, such as master’s and doctoral degrees, as well as opportunities for independent research, mentorships, and professional networking.

Best Grad Schools in Connecticut

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  1. Yale University
  2. University of Connecticut
  3. Wesleyan University
  4. University of Bridgeport
  5. Central Connecticut State University
  6. University of Hartford
  7. University of New Haven
  8. Southern Connecticut State University
  1. Yale University
  2. Wesleyan University
  3. University of Connecticut
  4. University of Hartford
  5. University of Bridgeport
  6. University of New Haven
  7. Central Connecticut State University
  8. Southern Connecticut State University
  1. University of New Haven 94%
  2. Southern Connecticut State University 83%
  3. University of Hartford 79%
  4. Central Connecticut State University 75%
  5. University of Bridgeport 73%
  6. University of Connecticut 56%
  7. Wesleyan University 19%
  8. Yale University 5%
  1. University of New Haven 18 to 1
  2. University of Connecticut 16 to 1
  3. University of Bridgeport 16 to 1
  4. Central Connecticut State University 14 to 1
  5. Southern Connecticut State University 12 to 1
  6. University of Hartford 8 to 1
  7. Wesleyan University 8 to 1
  8. Yale University 4 to 1
  1. Wesleyan University $62,049
  2. Yale University $59,950
  3. University of Hartford $44,885
  4. University of New Haven $42,898
  5. University of Bridgeport $35,760
  6. University of Connecticut $15,030
  7. Southern Connecticut State University $6,162
  8. Central Connecticut State University $6,162
  1. Wesleyan University $61,449
  2. Yale University $45,700
  3. University of Bridgeport $19,096
  4. University of New Haven $17,820
  5. University of Connecticut $17,532
  6. University of Hartford $14,652
  7. Southern Connecticut State University $7,797
  8. Central Connecticut State University $7,674
  1. Southern Connecticut State University
  2. University of New Haven
  3. University of Hartford
  4. Central Connecticut State University
  5. University of Bridgeport
  6. Wesleyan University
  7. University of Connecticut
  8. Yale University
  1. Southern Connecticut State University
  2. Central Connecticut State University
  3. University of New Haven
  4. University of Bridgeport
  5. University of Hartford
  6. University of Connecticut
  7. Wesleyan University
  8. Yale University
  1. Yale University 5%
  2. Wesleyan University 19%
  3. University of Connecticut 56%
  4. University of Bridgeport 73%
  5. Central Connecticut State University 75%
  6. University of Hartford 79%
  7. Southern Connecticut State University 83%
  8. University of New Haven 94%
  1. Yale University 4 to 1
  2. University of Hartford 8 to 1
  3. Wesleyan University 8 to 1
  4. Southern Connecticut State University 12 to 1
  5. Central Connecticut State University 14 to 1
  6. University of Connecticut 16 to 1
  7. University of Bridgeport 16 to 1
  8. University of New Haven 18 to 1
  1. Southern Connecticut State University $6,162
  2. Central Connecticut State University $6,162
  3. University of Connecticut $15,030
  4. University of Bridgeport $35,760
  5. University of New Haven $42,898
  6. University of Hartford $44,885
  7. Yale University $59,950
  8. Wesleyan University $62,049
  1. Central Connecticut State University $7,674
  2. Southern Connecticut State University $7,797
  3. University of Hartford $14,652
  4. University of Connecticut $17,532
  5. University of New Haven $17,820
  6. University of Bridgeport $19,096
  7. Yale University $45,700
  8. Wesleyan University $61,449

Colleges and Universities in Connecticut

Connecticut is home to a variety of top brick-and-mortar schools as well as a wide variety of fully accredited online colleges. Higher education in Connecticut includes both public and private institutions that offer associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, both in person and through online degree programs.

With 19 public schools and 20 private schools, Connecticut gives both traditional and online students plenty of options to choose from.

Students seeking an affordable option can attend one of the state’s numerous community colleges, which average $4,000 a year for tuition. The in-state cost for tuition in Connecticut’s four year public schools ranges from $8,000 to $16,000. Many of the community and public colleges in Connecticut also offer online degree programs.

Students interested in psychology, economics, and communications can check out the University of Connecticut (UConn), which is home to the premier research institute for ecological psychology. Sacred Heart University, a Roman Catholic university, is known for its religious studies and business programs.

Those looking for a smaller student population and more online courses may want to check out Manchester Community College, which enrolls about 4000 students and offers affordable in-person and online degrees in literature, biology, and social work.

And of course, Connecticut is also home to Yale University, the fourth oldest learning institute in the United States. The venerable Ivy League school enrolls just over 15,000 students at its New Haven campus.

Both traditional and online students in Connecticut can choose from a variety of higher education experiences fitting a full spectrum of budgets and career goals. Learn more and begin earning your degree from one of the top brick-and-mortar or online colleges in Connecticut.


What are Connecticut’s Colleges & Universities?

Connecticut’s Best Overall


Connecticut's Best Grad Schools Badge
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There are 8 doctorate-granting graduate schools in Connecticut. Our ranking of the best graduate schools in the Connecticut is composed of both private and public schools. To be included, schools must be fully accredited non-profit institutions, and must offer doctoral degrees and a broad array of graduate degrees.

Connecticut is also home to some of the best MBA programs in the world, as the state is heavily involved in the financial sector. Check out our ranking of the best online MBA programs in Connecticut.

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Best Grad Schools in Connecticut 2023

  1. #1

    Yale University

    New Haven , CT
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    5%

    Graduation

    97%

    Student body

    14K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1520/34

    Career Outlook for degree at Yale University

    Cost of Degree: $62,250
    Expenses: $22,870
    Starting Salary: $124,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  2. #3

    Wesleyan University

    Middletown , CT
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    19%

    Graduation

    91%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for degree at Wesleyan University

    Cost of Degree: $64,022
    Expenses: $20,850
    Starting Salary: $63,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  3. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    75%

    Graduation

    55%

    Student body

    12K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1060/22

    Career Outlook for degree at Central Connecticut State University

    Cost of Degree: $12,106
    Expenses: $16,320
    Starting Salary: $51,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Central Connecticut State University known for?

    Central Connecticut State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  4. #6

    University of Hartford

    West Hartford , CT
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $45K

    Acceptance

    79%

    Graduation

    59%

    Student body

    8K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1115/25

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Hartford

    Cost of Degree: $46,148
    Expenses: $17,952
    Starting Salary: $51,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  5. Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    83%

    Graduation

    52%

    Student body

    11K

    Career Outlook for degree at Southern Connecticut State University

    Cost of Degree: $12,414
    Expenses: $18,272
    Starting Salary: $48,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
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Connecticut’s Best Grad School for Your Area of Interest

Resources for Prospective Grad Students

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.

  1. Yale University
  2. Wesleyan University
  3. University of Connecticut
  4. University of Hartford
  5. Central Connecticut State University
  6. University of New Haven
  7. Southern Connecticut State University
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