Here are the most affordable colleges and universities in Connecticut. Our list will help you find the right kind of school for you, at a price you can afford.
Although living in Connecticut is expensive, attending college there can still be affordable. All state universities under the Connecticut State University system provide students with loans and scholarships, many of which are need-based. The state also manages financial aid programs for Connecticut community colleges in an effort to entice residents to continue their education and to attract more out-of-state students.
Residing in the Nutmeg State has a high price tag, from educational costs to housing. The state’s cost of living is shaped by various elements, including housing, healthcare, food, and taxes.
Connecticut, with a living index of 121.6, is the eighth highest in the US, according to the World Population Review.
According to recent data in NCES, the average cost of tuition at public universities in Connecticut was $13,886, while the national average is $9,400, which makes Connecticut one of the most expensive places to go to college.
College, in general, is not cheap, especially not in one of the most expensive states in America. Luckily, there are a number of financial aid opportunities for prospective students.
The Connecticut Office of Higher Education is a great source of financial aid opportunities in the state.
Another great source of information is the Federal Student Aid website. Filling out the FAFSA is the first step in qualifying for financial aid.
The Connecticut State Colleges and Universities website is a network of 17 community colleges, 4-year public colleges, and a charter college that boast the lowest tuition rates in Connecticut. There are also numerous grants, scholarships, and loan programs available for these schools. The CSCU schools enroll over 85,000 students each year.
Connecticut offers supplemental loans through the Connecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority.
The state also has several specialized scholarships, such as the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection for law enforcement officers and their dependents and the Connecticut Community Foundation, which offers grants and scholarships for students in need.
Some other specialized financial aid opportunities for Connecticut students include:
There are also a number of schools that typically offer generous financial aid packages to students in need. Those schools are:
If you’re still in high school or just taking a gap year, you can start saving with the 529 plan.
On the other hand, if you’re already working and saving up for a college degree, the best option may be the Connecticut Individual Development Account.
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.
There are 8 colleges and universities in Connecticut with stated tuitions and fees under $20,000/year. The following list of the most affordable colleges and universities in Connecticut is composed entirely of schools offering bachelor’s degree programs, have stated tuition and fees near or under the national average of $16,000/year, and are fully accredited colleges.
These schools are ranked by academic excellence, and all under $20,000/year.
Tuition + fees
$19K
Acceptance
56%
Graduation
83%
Student body
24K
Median SAT/ACT
1280/29
University of Connecticut’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
75%
Graduation
55%
Student body
9K
Median SAT/ACT
1060/22
Central Connecticut State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
83%
Graduation
52%
Student body
8K
Southern Connecticut State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$17K
Graduation
20%
Student body
12K
Post University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Acceptance
19%
Graduation
92%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1310/29
United States Coast Guard Academy’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
85%
Graduation
53%
Student body
4K
Western Connecticut State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$8K
Student body
<1K
Charter Oak State College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
73%
Graduation
57%
Student body
4K
Eastern Connecticut State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in: