Best Research Universities in Connecticut 2024

Badge for BEST IN CONNECTICUT RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES
By Dr. James Barham
Published:
Updated:

Interested in attending a STEM school in Connecticut? Our ranking of top research universities for bachelor’s degrees displays schools that will best prepare you for STEM careers.

Best Research Universities in Connecticut 2024

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  1. Yale University
  2. University of Connecticut
  3. Quinnipiac University
  4. University of Bridgeport
  5. University of Hartford
  6. Sacred Heart University
  7. University of Saint Joseph
  1. Yale University
  2. University of Connecticut
  3. University of Hartford
  4. University of Bridgeport
  5. Quinnipiac University
  6. Sacred Heart University
  7. University of Saint Joseph
  1. Quinnipiac University 84%
  2. University of Hartford 83%
  3. University of Bridgeport 82%
  4. University of Saint Joseph 75%
  5. Sacred Heart University 66%
  6. University of Connecticut 55%
  7. Yale University 5%
  1. Sacred Heart University 16 to 1
  2. University of Connecticut 16 to 1
  3. University of Bridgeport 14 to 1
  4. Quinnipiac University 11 to 1
  5. University of Hartford 8 to 1
  6. University of Saint Joseph 8 to 1
  7. Yale University 6 to 1
  1. Yale University $62,250
  2. Quinnipiac University $51,790
  3. Sacred Heart University $46,580
  4. University of Hartford $46,148
  5. University of Saint Joseph $44,366
  6. University of Bridgeport $35,760
  7. University of Connecticut $15,672
  1. Yale University $46,900
  2. Sacred Heart University $34,852
  3. Quinnipiac University $19,710
  4. University of Bridgeport $19,096
  5. University of Connecticut $18,174
  6. University of Saint Joseph $14,850
  7. University of Hartford $14,652
  1. University of Saint Joseph
  2. Sacred Heart University
  3. University of Hartford
  4. University of Bridgeport
  5. Quinnipiac University
  6. University of Connecticut
  7. Yale University
  1. University of Saint Joseph
  2. Sacred Heart University
  3. Quinnipiac University
  4. University of Bridgeport
  5. University of Hartford
  6. University of Connecticut
  7. Yale University
  1. Yale University 5%
  2. University of Connecticut 55%
  3. Sacred Heart University 66%
  4. University of Saint Joseph 75%
  5. University of Bridgeport 82%
  6. University of Hartford 83%
  7. Quinnipiac University 84%
  1. Yale University 6 to 1
  2. University of Hartford 8 to 1
  3. University of Saint Joseph 8 to 1
  4. Quinnipiac University 11 to 1
  5. University of Bridgeport 14 to 1
  6. Sacred Heart University 16 to 1
  7. University of Connecticut 16 to 1
  1. University of Connecticut $15,672
  2. University of Bridgeport $35,760
  3. University of Saint Joseph $44,366
  4. University of Hartford $46,148
  5. Sacred Heart University $46,580
  6. Quinnipiac University $51,790
  7. Yale University $62,250
  1. University of Hartford $14,652
  2. University of Saint Joseph $14,850
  3. University of Connecticut $18,174
  4. University of Bridgeport $19,096
  5. Quinnipiac University $19,710
  6. Sacred Heart University $34,852
  7. Yale University $46,900

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

Related: Differences between research universities and teaching colleges

Connecticut's Best Research Universities Badge
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A research university is a great option for students interested in obtaining STEM degrees. Research universities invest heavily in research, which consequently provides meaningful and extensive opportunities for its students and faculty to participate in research. We’ve identified 7 research universities in Connecticut. To be included in our ranking, schools must be a fully accredited universities and must must offer doctoral degrees across the range of STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math).

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Best Research Universities in Connecticut 2023

  1. #1

    Yale University

    New Haven , CT
    #5 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2025 #5 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2025 #6 Best Universities in the US Ranked for Prospective Students in 2025 #6 50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    5%

    Graduation

    98%

    Student body

    16K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1540/34

    Career Outlook for degree at Yale University

    Cost of Degree: $64,700
    Expenses: $23,600
    Starting Salary: $124,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Yale University known for?

    Yale University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  3. #3

    Quinnipiac University

    Hamden , CT
    #4 Best Private Colleges in Connecticut 2024 #9 Best Colleges in Connecticut 2024 #1 Best Online Colleges in Connecticut 2024 #2 Best Online MBA Programs in Connecticut
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $52K

    Acceptance

    84%

    Graduation

    77%

    Student body

    10K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1210/26

    Career Outlook for degree at Quinnipiac University

    Cost of Degree: $53,090
    Expenses: $20,230
    Starting Salary: $67,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Quinnipiac University known for?

    Quinnipiac University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Quinnipiac University’s Online Degrees

    BBA in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Nursing: RN to BSN
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Health Science Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  4. #4

    University of Bridgeport

    Bridgeport , CT
    #4 Best Small Colleges in Connecticut 2025 #5 Best Grad Schools in Connecticut 2024 #6 Best Private Colleges in Connecticut 2024 #8 Best Colleges in Connecticut 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $36K

    Acceptance

    82%

    Graduation

    47%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Bridgeport

    Cost of Degree: $35,760
    Expenses: $23,722
    Starting Salary: $47,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Bridgeport known for?

    University of Bridgeport’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    University of Bridgeport’s Online Degrees

    BS in Professional Studies
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in General Studies
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Dental Hygiene
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  5. #5

    University of Hartford

    West Hartford , CT
    #4 Best Grad Schools in Connecticut 2024 #6 Best Colleges in Connecticut 2024 #8 Best Private Colleges in Connecticut 2024 #1 Best Online Master's in Organizational Psychology 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $46K

    Acceptance

    83%

    Graduation

    57%

    Student body

    7K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1185/25

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Hartford

    Cost of Degree: $47,647
    Expenses: $18,817
    Starting Salary: $51,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Hartford known for?

    University of Hartford’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  7. #6

    Sacred Heart University

    Fairfield , CT
    #2 Best Christian Colleges in Connecticut 2024 #10 Best Private Colleges in Connecticut 2024 #5 Best Online Colleges in Connecticut 2024 #6 Best Online MBA Programs in Connecticut
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $47K

    Acceptance

    66%

    Graduation

    73%

    Student body

    11K

    Career Outlook for degree at Sacred Heart University

    Cost of Degree: $48,460
    Expenses: $22,300
    Starting Salary: $61,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Sacred Heart University known for?

    Sacred Heart University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Sacred Heart University’s Online Degrees

    BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  8. #7

    University of Saint Joseph

    West Hartford , CT
    #4 Best Christian Colleges in Connecticut 2024 #10 Best Small Colleges in Connecticut 2025 #12 Best Online Master's Programs in Connecticut 2024 #14 Best Online Master's in Biology

    Tuition + fees

    $44K

    Acceptance

    75%

    Graduation

    61%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Saint Joseph

    Cost of Degree: $45,908
    Expenses: $16,416
    Starting Salary: $52,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Saint Joseph known for?

    University of Saint Joseph ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Compare school
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Find the Best Research Universities in Connecticut for Your Area of Interest

Anthropology Biology Business Chemistry Commun­ications Computer Science Criminal Justice Earth Sciences Economics Education Engineering History Law Literature Mathematics Medical Nursing Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Social Work Sociology
2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2024 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2023. That’s because we took a fundamentally different approach. For 2024 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. University of Connecticut
  3. University of Hartford
  4. Quinnipiac University
  5. Sacred Heart University
  6. University of Saint Joseph

Check out our directory of research universities throughout the U.S. for a look at the top research institutions in every state.

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