Rankings / By State
Best Nursing Colleges in Connecticut
- 20
- Schools
- $63,108
- Avg. Earnings
- 58%
- Avg. Graduation
- $25,981
- Avg. Net Price
- $24,151
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $39,115 at the low end to $88,794 at the top. That 2.3× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $73,997 against $10,875 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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Cost and quality are not at odds here. The most affordable school, University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus at $10,875 a year in net price, delivers earnings of $73,997, matching or exceeding the list average.
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Completion rates separate this field: Fairfield University graduates 84% of its students, well above the 58% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Connecticut State Community College: graduates owe only 0.22× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to Quinnipiac University ($83,759 earnings), not the highest earner, Fairfield University ($88,794). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus ($10,875/yr) and Fairfield University ($48,095/yr) produce graduates earning $73,997 and $88,794 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $37,220 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus outperforms Fairfield University: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
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 Fairfield 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
Healthcare is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $60K within a decade, and registered nurse roles are projected to grow 6%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
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 Quinnipiac University #1 overall | $83,759 ▲ +33% vs avg | $40,675 | 77% | 82 |
| 2 University of Saint Joseph #2 overall | $59,908 ▼ -5% vs avg | $27,989 | 66% | 82 |
| 3 University of Connecticut #3 overall | $73,997 ▲ +17% vs avg | $25,097 | 84% | 79 |
| $88,794 ▲ +41% vs avg | $48,095 | 84% | 79 | |
| $59,115 ▼ -6% vs avg | $17,604 | 51% | 78 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Nursing Colleges in Connecticut
This analysis ranks 20 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $63,108 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 58% and an average net price of $25,981.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus — Net Price: $10,875 | Graduation Rate: 56%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Fairfield University — 84% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Fairfield University — Median alumni earnings: $88,794
Data Insight
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Healthcare Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the U.S. healthcare workforce?
$60,135
Median earnings (10yr)
57%
Median graduation rate
$26,452
Median net price
1.7%
Avg. mobility rate
The healthcare workforce pipeline starts in classrooms and clinical rotations like the ones behind this list. An aging population, persistent nursing shortages, and rising demand for clinical services have made these programs essential infrastructure. The strongest ones stand out on clinical partnerships and licensure outcomes, the two factors that translate most directly into hiring.
Across the 20 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $60,135 ten years after they first enrolled, about $12,135 more than the roughly $48,000 a typical American worker takes home. The median graduation rate is 57%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $26,452 a year, with about $24,625 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 37% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 1.7%.
One pattern runs through this list: programs with deep clinical partnerships move their graduates into the workforce faster. Quinnipiac University tops the ranking, and the median graduate here earns $60,135 ten years after enrollment. Demand outruns supply in this field, so the bottleneck is training capacity and credential attainment rather than hiring.
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
Quinnipiac University lands at #1 with a 82/100 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, 33% 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
University of Saint Joseph lands at #2 with a 82/100 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, 5% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
University of Connecticut lands at #3 with a 79/100 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, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,097 a year. 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
Fairfield University lands at #4 with a 79/100 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, 41% 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 #5
Western Connecticut State University lands at #5 with a 78/100 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, 6% 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
Why it ranks #6
Connecticut State Community College lands at #6 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (61/100). Graduates earn a median $41,344 a decade after enrolling, 34% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,513 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 #7
Sacred Heart University lands at #7 with a 77/100 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, 19% 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
University of Hartford lands at #8 with a 75/100 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, 4% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Southern Connecticut State University lands at #9 with a 75/100 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, 13% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Waterbury, CT · 87% accepted · $10,875 net
Why it ranks #10
University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus lands at #10 with a 75/100 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, 17% 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
Hartford, CT · 88% accepted · $16,403 net
Why it ranks #11
University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus lands at #11 with a 74/100 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, 17% 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 #12
University of Connecticut-Stamford lands at #12 with a 73/100 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, 17% 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 #13
University of Connecticut-Avery Point lands at #13 with a 73/100 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, 17% 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
Why it ranks #14
University of Bridgeport lands at #14 with a 72/100 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, 20% 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
Willimantic, CT · 83% accepted · $21,067 net
Why it ranks #15
Eastern Connecticut State University lands at #15 with a 70/100 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, 11% 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
New Britain, CT · 73% accepted · $16,857 net
Why it ranks #16
Central Connecticut State University lands at #16 with a 70/100 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, 7% 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 carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
University of New Haven lands at #17 with a 67/100 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, 5% 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 #18
Mitchell College lands at #18 with a 62/100 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, 38% 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 #19
Albertus Magnus College lands at #19 with a 62/100 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, 5% 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 #20
Goodwin University lands at #20 with a 57/100 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, 31% below this list's average, and net price runs $29,249 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
Cut it by what you care about
The same 20 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become Registered Nurses and related roles — a field with $86,070 median pay and 6% projected growth.
See the Registered Nurse career guide →Choosing the right nursing college can feel overwhelming, especially in a state like Connecticut, where options are plentiful. Each institution on this list shares a commitment to training future healthcare professionals, but they differ significantly in outcomes and financial implications.
What sets the top nursing colleges apart is their performance in key areas: graduate rates, earnings, and student debt. In this ranking, we focus on how well graduates fare after leaving school, their ability to manage debt, and the overall completion rates of their programs. These factors paint a clearer picture of what students can expect when they enroll.
For instance, the University of Connecticut in Storrs boasts an impressive 84% graduation rate, significantly higher than the 56% rate at the Waterbury campus. However, while Storrs has a higher net price at $25,097, both schools report the same average earnings of $73,997. This contrast highlights the trade-offs students face when choosing between programs with different financial commitments and outcomes.
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
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 15 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.7%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Albertus Magnus College leads the group at 5.5%, with University of Bridgeport (2.9%) and Sacred Heart University (2%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 6.5% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. University of Bridgeport enrolls the most, at 16.6%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 30.2% across the list, peaking at 63.2% at Fairfield University.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.65, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Quinnipiac University is highest at 1.86.
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
The data reveals an interesting pattern when comparing the University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus and the University of Connecticut-Stamford. Both schools report the same average earnings of $73,997, yet the Hartford campus has a graduation rate of 65%, while Stamford's is lower at 57%. This suggests that despite similar earning potential, Hartfort has a more successful completion rate, which can be a crucial factor for prospective students.
As you sift through these rankings, reflect on your personal priorities. Consider factors like location, the specific nursing program you want, and the campus environment. Financial constraints also play a critical role; the difference in net price can greatly affect your decision. Make sure to weigh these aspects alongside the data presented here.
Ultimately, the stakes are high. A decision about which nursing college to attend can shape not only your career but also your financial future. With average debt at $21,500 and varying graduation rates, families need to choose wisely. Each choice influences the trajectory toward a stable life after college, making this more than just an academic decision—it's a life decision.
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 Nursing Colleges in Connecticut: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Nursing Colleges in Connecticut ranking? +
Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Nursing Colleges in Connecticut ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $83,759 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 77% 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? +
Fairfield University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $88,794 ten years after enrollment, well above the $63,108 average across the 20 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? +
Fairfield University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 84%, compared with a 58% 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 $25,981 a year across the 20 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 Nursing Colleges 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 20 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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