Rankings / By State
Best Master's Programs in Connecticut
- 24
- Schools
- $67,871
- Avg. Earnings
- 66%
- Avg. Graduation
- $27,525
- Avg. Net Price
- $23,925
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 24 schools run from $39,115 to $100,533, a 2.6× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 through line among the top-ranked schools is plain. They pair solid graduate earnings with affordable costs and meaningful social mobility. Prestige and selectivity matter far less than whether students end up better off.
What This Means for Students
Your shortlist should start with University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus and Yale University. For each school, look up the net price your family would actually pay, weigh it against typical graduate earnings, and build the decision around the return instead of the name recognition.
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 ▲ +48% vs avg | $23,777 | 96% | 79 |
| 2 Wesleyan University #2 overall | $73,897 ▲ +9% vs avg | $30,177 | 92% | 74 |
| 3 University of Connecticut #3 overall | $73,997 ▲ +9% vs avg | $25,097 | 84% | 70 |
| $75,001 ▲ +11% vs avg | $36,175 | 83% | 69 | |
| $73,997 ▲ +9% 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 Master's Programs in Connecticut
This analysis ranks 24 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $67,871 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 66% and an average net price of $27,525.
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?
$73,897
Median earnings (10yr)
60%
Median graduation rate
$27,989
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.
The median graduation rate across these 24 schools is 60%. Median graduate earnings reach $73,897 ten years after enrollment, roughly $25,897 more than the national worker average of $48,000. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $27,989 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $24,147. Some 33% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 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 $27,989 and median earnings of $73,897 show which institutions strengthen the regional economy rather than simply enrolling students.
The podium
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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, 48% 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, 9% 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, 9% 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, 11% 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, 9% 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, 13% 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, 9% 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, 9% 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, 9% 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, 14% 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, 31% 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, 34% 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, 17% 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, 12% 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, 23% 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, 19% 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, 10% 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, 11% 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, 11% 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, 42% 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, 11% 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, 26% 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
Why it ranks #24
Goodwin University lands at #24 with a 41/100 composite, led by academic quality (60/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (27/100). Graduates earn a median $43,596 a decade after enrolling, 36% below this list's average, and net price runs $29,249 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 23 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Finding the right master's program in Connecticut can feel overwhelming, yet these institutions share a commitment to strong graduate outcomes. With an average earning potential of $67,871, these programs are designed to equip students for a successful career.
What sets these schools apart is their focus on important metrics like earnings, graduation rates, student debt, and mobility. These factors help paint a clearer picture of what students can expect after graduation. The schools listed below have demonstrated strong performance in these areas, which are crucial when considering a financial investment in higher education.
For instance, Yale University boasts impressive earnings of $100,533 with a graduation rate of 96%, while the University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus reports earnings of $73,997 but only a 56% graduation rate. This contrast highlights how outcomes can vary significantly among different programs, influencing your decision-making process.
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, the differences in graduate outcomes can be striking. For example, Yale University's graduates reach an average earning of $100,533, largely due to its high graduation rate of 96%. In contrast, the University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus, while also showing decent earnings at $73,997, struggles with a graduation rate of just 56%. This disparity highlights the importance of not just choosing a school based on earnings but also evaluating the completion rates that lead to those earnings.
As you weigh your options, consider how these outcomes align with your personal priorities. Think about factors like location, program fit, and the campus experience, alongside financial implications such as net price and potential debt. A school may have high earnings, but if its graduation rate is low, it might not be the best fit for your goals.
Ultimately, this data underscores the significance of informed choices on the path from college to a stable life. A single decision about a master's program can significantly impact a family's financial future. By closely examining these outcomes, you can make a choice that supports both your career aspirations and financial well-being.
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 Master's Programs in Connecticut: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Master's Programs in Connecticut ranking? +
Yale University in New Haven, CT ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Master'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 $67,871 average across the 23 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 $27,525 a year across the 23 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 Master'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 24 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
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