Rankings / By State
Best Bachelor's Programs in Connecticut
- 23
- Schools
- $68,974
- Avg. Earnings
- 66%
- Avg. Graduation
- $27,447
- Avg. Net Price
- $23,490
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
-
Median graduate earnings across these 23 schools run from $39,115 to $100,533, a 2.6× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
-
University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus delivers the most for the money: roughly $73,997 in median earnings against $10,875 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
-
The most affordable option, University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus ($10,875 net price), still posts $73,997 in earnings, at or above the list average. Paying more does not guarantee a better outcome.
-
Yale University graduates 96% of its students, versus a 66% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
-
Yale University carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.13× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus costs $10,875 a year and Fairfield University costs $48,095. Yet their graduates earn $73,997 and $88,794, nowhere near the $37,220 price gap.
- On value, University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus beats Yale University: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
- Graduation rates split the field: Yale University finishes 96% of students while Mitchell College finishes 43%. Same ranking, very different odds of leaving with a degree.
The Takeaway
The schools that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.
What This Means for Students
If you are choosing from this list, start with University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus and Yale University. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $74K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Yale University #1 overall | $100,533 ▲ +46% vs avg | $23,777 | 96% | 79 |
| 2 Wesleyan University #2 overall | $73,897 ▲ +7% vs avg | $30,177 | 92% | 74 |
| 3 University of Connecticut #3 overall | $73,997 ▲ +7% vs avg | $25,097 | 84% | 70 |
| $75,001 ▲ +9% vs avg | $36,175 | 83% | 69 | |
| $73,997 ▲ +7% vs avg | $10,875 | 56% | 68 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Bachelor's Programs in Connecticut
This analysis ranks 23 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $68,974 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 66% and an average net price of $27,447.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus — Net Price: $10,875 | Graduation Rate: 56%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Yale University — 96% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Yale University — Median alumni earnings: $100,533
Research Note
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Connecticut Opportunity Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about higher education and opportunity in Connecticut?
$73,947
Median earnings (10yr)
61%
Median graduation rate
$27,898
Median net price
1.8%
Avg. mobility rate
Higher education is intensely local: most students enroll close to home and stay to work nearby, so a state's colleges are also its talent pipeline. This ranking looks at the mix of public and private institutions across Connecticut, asking who keeps graduates in-state, who delivers earnings against the local cost of living, and who moves residents up the income ladder.
Across the 23 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $73,947 ten years after they first enrolled, about $25,947 more than the roughly $48,000 a typical American worker takes home. The median graduation rate is 61%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $27,898 a year, with about $23,824 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 32% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 1.8%.
What we’re seeing: the schools that matter most for Connecticut pair affordability with outcomes that keep talent local. A median net price of $27,898 and median earnings of $73,947 show which institutions strengthen the regional economy rather than simply enrolling students.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Yale University lands at #1 with a 79/100 composite, led by academic quality (92/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $100,533 a decade after enrolling, 46% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,777 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Wesleyan University lands at #2 with a 74/100 composite, led by academic quality (91/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (67/100). Graduates earn a median $73,897 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $30,177 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
University of Connecticut lands at #3 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $73,997 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,097 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Connecticut College lands at #4 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $75,001 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $36,175 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Waterbury, CT · 87% accepted · $10,875 net
Why it ranks #5
University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus lands at #5 with a 68/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (75/100) and pulled down by academic quality (70/100). Graduates earn a median $73,997 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,875 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Western Connecticut State University lands at #6 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $59,115 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,604 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Hartford, CT · 88% accepted · $16,403 net
Why it ranks #7
University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus lands at #7 with a 67/100 composite, led by academic quality (75/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (65/100). Graduates earn a median $73,997 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,403 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
University of Connecticut-Stamford lands at #8 with a 66/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (75/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $73,997 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,798 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
University of Connecticut-Avery Point lands at #9 with a 65/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (75/100) and pulled down by academic quality (66/100). Graduates earn a median $73,997 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,807 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
New Britain, CT · 73% accepted · $16,857 net
Why it ranks #10
Central Connecticut State University lands at #10 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $58,562 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,857 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Fairfield University lands at #11 with a 65/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (26/100). Graduates earn a median $88,794 a decade after enrolling, 29% above this list's average, and net price runs $48,095 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Trinity College lands at #12 with a 65/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $90,779 a decade after enrolling, 32% above this list's average, and net price runs $34,832 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Willimantic, CT · 83% accepted · $21,067 net
Why it ranks #13
Eastern Connecticut State University lands at #13 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $56,469 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,067 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
University of Saint Joseph lands at #14 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (36/100). Graduates earn a median $59,908 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $27,989 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Quinnipiac University lands at #15 with a 62/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (27/100). Graduates earn a median $83,759 a decade after enrolling, 21% above this list's average, and net price runs $40,675 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
New Haven, CT · 91% accepted · $20,857 net
Why it ranks #16
Southern Connecticut State University lands at #16 with a 62/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $55,043 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,857 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
University of Hartford lands at #17 with a 60/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (35/100). Graduates earn a median $60,823 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $30,282 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
University of New Haven lands at #18 with a 58/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (29/100). Graduates earn a median $60,126 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $34,192 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Sacred Heart University lands at #19 with a 58/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (25/100). Graduates earn a median $75,059 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $46,174 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Mitchell College lands at #20 with a 55/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (35/100). Graduates earn a median $39,115 a decade after enrolling, 43% below this list's average, and net price runs $30,260 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Albertus Magnus College lands at #21 with a 55/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (26/100). Graduates earn a median $60,144 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $34,028 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
United States Coast Guard Academy lands at #22 with a 55/100 composite, led by academic quality (91/100) and pulled down by social mobility (68/100). Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
University of Bridgeport lands at #23 with a 55/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (33/100). Graduates earn a median $50,323 a decade after enrolling, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $27,807 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 22 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Choosing the right bachelor's program is crucial for students and families weighing their options in Connecticut. With 22 institutions offering a variety of degrees, each school presents unique opportunities and challenges that can shape future careers and financial wellbeing.
What sets these schools apart are the outcomes that really matter: earnings after graduation, completion rates, student debt, and, importantly, mobility. These factors inform the ranking below, which highlights how well each school prepares its students for life after college and their potential to move up the economic ladder.
For instance, Yale University leads the list with impressive earnings of $100,533 and a graduation rate of 96%. In contrast, the University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus has a lower graduation rate of 56% and a net price of just $10,875, highlighting the trade-offs students may face in terms of financial burden versus potential earnings.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 17 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.8%. Albertus Magnus College leads the group at 5.5%, with University of Bridgeport (2.9%) and Yale University (2.1%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 5.8% of students start in the bottom income quintile. University of Bridgeport leads at 16.6%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 35.4% across this list. Fairfield University posts the highest success rate at 63.2%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.67 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Quinnipiac University reaches 1.86, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
When comparing schools, Yale University outperforms the University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus significantly, with $100,533 in earnings compared to $73,997. This difference of $26,536 highlights the potential return on investment from choosing a school with higher earnings outcomes.
After reviewing the data, consider your priorities. Think about factors like location, specific programs of interest, campus culture, and financial circumstances. A school that excels in one area may not be the best fit for your personal goals and values.
Ultimately, this data reflects the real-world implications of college choices. A family's decision to invest in a particular program can significantly influence their financial future and stability. It’s essential to recognize how these metrics translate into everyday life and career paths.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Bachelor's Programs in Connecticut: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Bachelor's Programs in Connecticut ranking? +
Yale University in New Haven, CT ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Bachelor's Programs in Connecticut ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $100,533 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 96% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Yale University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $100,533 ten years after enrollment, well above the $68,974 average across the 22 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus leads: graduates earn a median $73,997 against net price of about $10,875 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Yale University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 96%, compared with a 66% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $27,447 a year across the 22 ranked schools with cost data. University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus is among the most affordable at roughly $10,875. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Bachelor's Programs in Connecticut ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 23 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
Related Rankings
