Central Connecticut State University
#4 Most Affordable Colleges in Connecticut- Graduation Rate
- 49% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $58,562 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $16,857 C
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 73% C+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 21.6× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $21.6 over 20 years. Ranked #4 in Most Affordable Colleges in Connecticut.
Every $1 spent returns $21.6 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,389,724.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Earnings 44% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $21.6 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Central Connecticut State University Matters
Central Connecticut State University is a public university in New Britain, CT and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 7,822
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Computer Science & IT, Psychology
Why students choose Central Connecticut State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 73% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 960–1190. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $16,857 a year after grants and scholarships — 2% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $58,562 ten years after enrolling — 44% above the typical college, against $22,300 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.5% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 50% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.61 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Central Connecticut State University enrolls 7,822 students and has an acceptance rate of 73%. This accessibility makes it a viable option for many prospective students looking for a public university experience without highly selective admissions hurdles.
Graduates from Central Connecticut State University can expect to earn an average of $58,562 ten years after graduation. While the graduation rate stands at 49%, the school attracts a diverse student body, including a 38% Pell Grant rate, which indicates a commitment to serving students from lower-income backgrounds. The Chetty/Opportunity Insights data on economic mobility is not available, but the earnings potential suggests that graduates can achieve a stable financial footing.
The net price for attending Central Connecticut State University is $16,857, with a median student debt of $22,300 upon graduation. This financial profile positions the university as an attractive option for students who prioritize affordability and manageable debt levels. Students in top programs such as Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, and Education may thrive here, especially those seeking a supportive environment focused on practical career outcomes.
Rankings
- #4 Most Affordable Colleges in Connecticut
- #5 Best Online Colleges in Connecticut
- #5 Best Computer Science Colleges in Connecticut
- #5 Best Business Colleges in Connecticut
- #5 Best Data Science Colleges in Connecticut
- #6 Best Communications Colleges in Connecticut
- #7 Best Colleges in Connecticut
- #7 Best Engineering Colleges in Connecticut
Can I Get In?
How selective Central Connecticut State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Central Connecticut State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in New Britain, Connecticut, Central Connecticut State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 73%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,080. The graduation rate is roughly 49%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 73%
- Retention Rate
- 77%
- SAT Average
- 1080
- ACT Midpoint
- 23
- SAT Range
- 960–1190
- Full-Time Faculty
- 47%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $10,902
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.66
- First-Gen Students
- 39%
- Applicants
- 7,302
- Admitted
- 5,601
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Central Connecticut State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Central Connecticut State University is $16,550, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $16,857. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,589 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,300 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $13,050
- Out-of-State
- $16,550
- Avg Net Price
- $16,857
- Median Debt
- $22,300
- Pell Grant Rate
- 38%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 49%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $13,589
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $13,636
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $15,091
- Family Income $110K+
- $21,562
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Central Connecticut State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Central Connecticut State University earn a median of $58,562, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $49,016
- 8 Years
- $56,602
- 10 Years
- $58,562
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.38x
- Earning > $25K
- 73%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (370)
- 27%
- 100% (370)
- 27%
- 100% (370)
- 27%
- 100% (370)
- 27%
How Central Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Central Connecticut State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Central Connecticut State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $16,857/year ($67,428 total). Graduates earn $58,562 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,457,152 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,389,724 (21.6× your investment). The median debt is $22,300, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 49% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $67,428
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,457,152
- Net Return
- $1,389,724
- ROI Multiple
- 21.6×
- Cost Per Year
- $16,857
- Median Debt
- $22,300
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 49%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Central Connecticut State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Central Connecticut State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.46%, well above the typical college. About 5.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 28.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $93,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.46%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 28.8%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 5.1%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $93,300
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $5,246,729
- Investment Income
- $323,034
Top Programs
The fields Central Connecticut State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Business & Marketing 20%
- Social Sciences 12%
- Computer Science & IT 11%
- Psychology 8%
- Education 6%
- Biology & Biomedical 5%
- Communications 4%
- Engineering 4%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Central Connecticut State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Central Connecticut State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in New Britain, Connecticut, Central Connecticut State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 73%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,080. The graduation rate is roughly 49%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Central Connecticut State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Central Connecticut State University is $16,550, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $16,857. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,589 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,300 in federal student loans.
Is Central Connecticut State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Central Connecticut State University earn a median of $58,562, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Central Connecticut State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Central Connecticut State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.46%, well above the typical college. About 5.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 28.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $93,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Central Connecticut State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Central Connecticut State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.61, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.06). Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Central Connecticut State University.
- University of IdahoMoscow, ID · Close peer59% grad $54,670 earn 76% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Bridgewater State UniversityBridgewater, MA · Close peer54% grad $57,466 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of Missouri-Kansas CityKansas City, MO · Close peer56% grad $59,637 earn 72% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Wisconsin-Eau ClaireEau Claire, WI · Close peer66% grad $58,561 earn 82% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Central Washington UniversityEllensburg, WA · Close peer52% grad $61,580 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Northern Illinois UniversityDekalb, IL · Close peer49% grad $57,808 earn 70% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Central Connecticut State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Central Connecticut State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.61, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.06). Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note